Is this the first time hearing the word Christingle? Are you asking yourself, “what exactly is a Christingle?” Well, before you start searching, continue reading about the long-standing history of Christingle.
Christingle is a symbolic way to celebrate the Christian faith. Dating back to the mid-1700s, Christingle was part of a German worship service. Representing Jesus bringing light to the world, John de Watteville, a minister, gave each child a lighted candle with a red ribbon.
In the late 1960s, Christingles became popular in England. Generally, Christingle services are held the week before or part of Christmas Eve services. Due to the pandemic, Christmas 2020 is going to be different. But you and your family can try new things. Making a Christingle is a wonderful new tradition to begin.
How to Make a Christingle
Are you wondering how to make a Christingle? The activity is simple; however, each piece has a specific meaning.
List of Needed Items
- Orange: The base of the Christingle is an orange or tangerine representing the whole world.
- White Candle: Standing tall and straight, the white candle represents God giving light to the world.
- Red Ribbon: Tying the ribbon around the orange represents the blood of Jesus and dying on the cross.
- Four Skewers or Toothpicks: The four toothpicks represent North, South, East, and West. They also represent the four changing seasons. If you use skewers, you can fit more pieces of fruit and candy on to your stick.
- Pieces of Dried Fruits: In addition to dried fruit, you can use nuts, miniature marshmallows, and sweets. The items represent the fruits of the Earth.
In addition to the list above, you will need tin foil. The tinfoil is a precautionary measure to prevent the dripping candle wax from getting into the orange’s interior.
Next, you start the task of creating your own Christingle. Younger children will need help with the first step. Slicing the top of your orange makes a hole large enough to fit your white candle’s base. Before pushing the candle down into the orange, cover the opening with foil.
When your base is complete, set aside. Now begin to place the dried fruits or other sweets onto the skewers. Repeat this step four times.
Now, push the four skewers into the orange. Place the skewers on each side to create a balanced appearance. Finally, wrap your piece of red ribbon around the orange and tie it into a bow. Congratulations on finishing your first Christingle.
Staying close to home for the holidays is the time to do family crafts. Have fun making Christingles. Light the candles to take a photo in front of your tree on Christmas Eve. (Always practice safety procedures when using candles).
Make extras to give away. Just remember, do not cut the hole into the orange until you are ready to give your Christingle to the intended person.
Reference:
The History of Christingles. https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/christingles.shtml
Then, ask your children to help decorate the cookies. Making up new designs and colors provides added fun. Enjoy the creative process going into each cookie.
Now, the next challenge, who gets to pick the Christmas movie for family night?
Don’t forget the cake.
Of course, you will need your own wand. 
Try and guess each flavor without looking at the guide.
Make memories by trying something completely new. Who is the brave one in your family?
