There’s more to Christingle…

‘May these Christingles remind us to shine as lights in the world, to God’s praise and glory. Amen’

The single flame of the Paschal candle shone into the darkened Priory (intentional this time, no power cuts involved) as the congregation prayed together, expectantly awaiting the light of the flame, shared by the Junior Choristers.

Faces were illuminated by the warm glow as the flame was passed from Christingle to Christingle, candle to candle and the beautiful, gentle setting of ‘Away in a Manger’ echoed into the space. Prayers, and the peaceful congregational singing of ‘Silent Night’ to Christingle-light were the culmination of both Christingle services.

Only a few of those 1,000 who worshipped at the Priory Christingle services would have known of the huge effort (and fun) that went into preparations, not least the training of the service wardens in fire-extinguishing (buckets of water and cloths provided), a skill that was, once again, thankfully not required to be put to use.

Earlier in the week, the Nave was partially cleared and a veritable production line of orange-corers, candle-fitters, sweet-and-sultana-prongers and Christingle-boxers spent a joyful couple of hours’ Christingle production. Refreshments were enjoyed, friends were made, and this reporter was assured that not a single jelly tot was eaten during the process…maybe.

Nothing is wasted - the Priory Environment Group would approve; many of those same Christingle oranges are now available in a new form - Priory Christingle Marmalade - for a donation to Project Light and Space. If you’d like to enrich your toast experience with this delectable seasonal preserve, please enquire after a 10.30am service…stocks are strictly limited.