How to Run a Christingle Service in Your Church

The Christingle service is a well-loved, family-friendly event in the church calendar, typically held around Christmas. 

Originally introduced by the Moravian Church in Germany in 1747, Christingle services became popular in the UK in the 1960s through the Children's Society, which uses the event to raise awareness and support for vulnerable children. 

Today, it's a beautiful way for the church to engage families, teach about Jesus as the Light of the World, and support a meaningful cause.

If you're considering running a Christingle service, here are some helpful steps and ideas for making it a joyful and impactful event.

1. Plan the Date and Venue

Traditionally, Christingle services are held on or around Advent and Christmas, so December is a great time. Some churches hold their Christingle on Christmas Eve, while others might opt for an earlier date in Advent to avoid holiday travel and allow more families to attend.

Also, consider your venue. Christingle services are popular and tend to draw larger crowds, so ensure there's ample space. If you anticipate a large gathering, think about safety protocols, especially as the service involves open flames.

2. Prepare Christingle Kits in Advance

The centrepiece of the service is the Christingle itself, an orange decorated with a candle, red ribbon, dried fruits, and sweets. Each part of the Christingle has symbolic meaning, representing different aspects of the Christian faith.

To prepare for the service, you’ll need:

Oranges – symbolising the world

Red ribbon – representing the love and sacrifice of Jesus

Four cocktail sticks – pointing to the four corners of the world

Dried fruits or sweets – symbolising the fruits of the earth and God’s gifts

Candle – representing Christ, the Light of the World

It can be helpful to prepare Christingle kits ahead of time, either by having a volunteer team assemble them or by setting up a workstation where families can make them together at the start of the service. This way, everyone can take part actively.

3. Organise Volunteers and Roles

To ensure everything runs smoothly, you’ll need a team of volunteers for roles like:

Welcoming and guiding families to their seats

Distributing Christingle kits and matches or electric candles

Helping with a collection if your service is raising funds for the Children's Society or another charity

Safety marshals to manage any fire hazards and help guide participants during candle-lighting

If possible, arrange a brief volunteer meeting beforehand to discuss the service plan and safety guidelines.

4. Incorporate Teaching Elements for All Ages

A Christingle service is a wonderful opportunity to engage all ages in the Christmas story. Consider including:

A simple, interactive talk explaining each part of the Christingle

A short Christmas reading from the Gospels, highlighting Jesus as the Light

Carols and songs that are easy to sing along with, adding to the sense of celebration

Prayers and reflections, encouraging everyone to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s light in their lives

You might also choose to incorporate a short video, storytelling, or a children's activity, so kids can understand and relate to the symbols in the Christingle.

5. Set Up for Candle-Lighting Safely

The candle-lighting is the most memorable part of the Christingle service, as the lights dim, and everyone’s Christingle is lit, symbolising Jesus bringing light into the world. Here are some tips for managing this safely:

Practice a clear procedure for lighting – some churches light the candles at the altar and pass the flame along each row; others may have adults light their children’s candles

Consider flameless LED candles for very young children or for any attendees who may be uncomfortable with fire

Appoint a safety team to monitor the lighting and to have extinguishers or water buckets nearby, just in case

Encourage parents to supervise children closely, and remind attendees to handle their candles carefully during this special moment.

6. End with a Blessing and an Invitation

Conclude the service with a final blessing or prayer, sending families home with the warmth of the Christingle and the message of Jesus’ light. Many churches also encourage families to place their Christingles in their windows at home to extend the light further.

If you’re raising funds, remember to thank everyone for their contributions and, if possible, share a little about how the funds will help support children in need. Also, consider inviting attendees to upcoming Christmas events or services, welcoming them to continue exploring faith in the New Year.

7. Create Lasting Memories for Families

For many families, a Christingle service is a cherished tradition. Think about ways to help them remember the experience, such as:

Taking photos or videos (with permission) to share on social media or in the church newsletter

Giving each child a small takeaway item, like a Christingle colouring sheet or prayer card

Encouraging families to reflect on Christingle at home, perhaps lighting their Christingle candle as they say a prayer

Final Thoughts

Christingle services provide a beautiful opportunity to bring the community together in celebration, reflection, and generosity. With a little planning, your church can create an inspiring, meaningful service that engages people of all ages and backgrounds. And as they light their candles, they’ll be reminded of the hope, joy, and love that Christ brings to the world – a message that resonates far beyond the Christmas season.

Running a Christingle service can feel like a big task, but the memories made and the message shared make it more than worthwhile. Good luck, and may your Christingle bring light to many this Christmas!