Event: Christingle
Church: St James, King St
When: Sunday, December 24, 6pm
The activities: St James' senior assistant minister, the Rev John Stewart gave a children's talk about Jesus as the meaning of Christmas. The children's choir led the congregation in singing carols. Near the end of the service each child is given a "Christingle' and follows the clergy in a procession around the church.
A Christingle is made up of a lighted candle (symbolising Jesus, the Light of the World), mounted on an orange (representing the world). A red ribbon goes around the middle of the orange (indicating the blood/love of Christ) and four lollipops go into the sides of the orange (representing the abundance of God's grace).
Where: St James church building
Attendance: About 550 people from babies to primary aged children plus parents and grandparents.
Elements that worked best
"People who we don't often see in church came. There were kids, parents and grandparents," says John Stewart. "We were able to tell the children the story of the birth of Christ which is the most important message."
"The kids really get involved with answering the questions about the meaning of Christmas and what the Christingle represents. It's a unique event that attracts people from all over Sydney," Mr Stewart says.
"After the service one mother said to me "Thank you for saying so clearly that Jesus is the greatest gift to humanity. It's a message my kids will not forget'."
What could be improved?
"After five years we have come a long way in improving how we run things," Mr Stewart says.
"We have learnt how to better distribute the Christingle and avoid chaotic traffic jams of children. We have a number of assistants who help distribute Christingles and keep the children moving."
Photos: Christopher Shain
