A Christingle is an orange into which are placed four fruits or sweets held in place with cocktail sticks. It is used to illustrate God's love for the world. Christingle means Christ Light, the orange represents the world , the sticks represent the four seasons, the fruit (or sweets) - the fruits of creation (& possibly the fruits of the spirit). A red ribbon around the orange signifies Jesus' death, and God's all encompassing love. Resurrection hope and Christ as the Light of the World are symbolised in the candle in the centre.
Here are some links relating to the Christingle
http://www.angelfire.com/in/stleonard/christingle.html
http://www.kirkweb.org/cristngl.htm - Background and "How to make a Christingle"
http://www.oremus.org/liturgy/pohg/s4c.html - Complete Liturgy included
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