Church launches hands-on way to learn about Christingle

The Church of England and The Children's Society have turned oranges into cubes to help children engage with the Christian message of Christingle in a fun and creative way. More than 600,000 children attended a Christingle service last year.

Christingles are central to the special candlelit carol services held between Advent and Epiphany, where the congregation carry candles mounted on oranges to represent Christ as the light of the world, among other symbols. The service was established by the Moravian Church in 1747, and introduced to England in 1986 to raise money and awareness for the work of The Children's Society.

The cube - produced by Church House Publishing - tells the story of the symbolism of each part of the Christingle orange within the context of God's creation. The format of the new cube follows in the successful footsteps of The Lords' Prayer Cube and The Communion Cube, which all feature simple text and full-colour illustrations aimed at children aged three years and up.

"Held between Advent and Epiphany, a Christingle celebration places children at its heart and is an ideal opportunity to welcome the wider community into church, forge stronger links with local schools and youth groups and together explore the cornerstone messages of the Christian faith," comments the Rev Nigel Asbridge, Chaplain Missioner for The Children's Society.

"Using the familiar symbols of the Christingle, the cube is a useful tool for exploring the foundations of this faith with children: from the Creation and our stewardship and responsibility for it, to the Incarnation and Redemption and the vocation of all Christians to be witnesses to what God has done."

The Rev Mary Hawes, National Children's Adviser for the Archbishops' Council, adds: "This cube provides an opportunity for children to continue exploring the compelling story of the Christingle right through the year. The rich symbolism of Christingle is an ideal way to explain the Christian message to young minds - now the Christingle Cube makes this even easier."

To find out more about the work of the Church of England Children's Society and how you can support local Christingle services, visit www.christingle.org