Prayers 24th December 2021, Christmas Eve, Christingle,

Why are you bringing this candle?

We bring this candle as a sign that the Light of the World is coming. And we are hoping.

Why are you bringing in this candle? 

We bring this candle as a sign that the Light of the World is coming.  And we are waiting.

Why are you bringing in this candle?

We bring this candle as a sign the Light of the World is coming. And we are preparing.

 

Lighting of 4 Advent Candles

 

Carol “Away in a Manger”

https://youtu.be/_MYqlRlJ0hY

 

Loving God

help us to hear your voice

and see your light.,

so that even in the darkest of places and worst moments of life 

we know that the light of your love continues

and nothing can overcome it.

Amen.

 

Where did the Christingle come from?

 

No one knows for certain when the word “Christingle” was first used or from what it is derived. Various suggestions have been made. One is that it comes from the old Saxon word “ingle” (fire), meaning “Christ-fire or light”. Another is that it derives from the German “engel” (angel), meaning “Christ-angel”, or it may derive from the German “kindle” (child), meaning “Christ-child”.

 

What is the Christingle about? The orange represents the world, the fruits represent the people and the fruits of the world. The red band represents Christs death and the candle light represents that God is the Light of the world. So whats the Christingle really about. Its about the gift of a baby that would change the world. A light in the darkness

 

Reading: Luke 2v1-7 

 

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.³ And everyone went to their own town to register.
⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

 

Song  “Like a candle flame”

https://youtu.be/TGAXlGBB10M

 

Take us to Bethlehem, House of Bread

Where the hungry are filled 

And the satisfied sent empty away

Where the poor find riches 

And the rich recognize their poverty

And all who worship are filled with awe.