One of the more extraordinary services at my church growing up involved the unforgettable sight of a ten-foot MDF orange erected in the sanctuary. Along with Dolly Mixtures the size of your head shafted in, and a big red ribbon round its belly (it was a beast of an orange, so it must have had a belly), the crowning glory was a piece of my own clueless (fourteen-year-old-boy) engineering – an unconvincing ‘candle’ constructed from old pipe, a cloudy filament bulb, and lots of silver foil. If this wasn’t surreal enough, there were two hatches mid-orange from which loud-mouthed puppets protruded, fulfilling all the usual liturgical duties of church puppets: interrupting, singing out of tune, making puns, and getting the children all worked up.

I am, of course, talking about Christingle. The custom originated in the eighteenth century in Germany, gradually accruing the current form of an orange, ribbon, sweets and a candle, all of which help to remind us of the message of hope in Christ, the Light of the world. In 1968, John Pensom brought the custom to the UK as a way to raise funds for the Children’s Society. The Children’s Society (which originally went by the rather quaint name of ‘The Church of England Central Society for Providing Homes for Waifs and Strays’!) is a leading national charity working to protect and support vulnerable children and young people across the country. I wrote in the E-pistle in August of their Good Childhood Report, and some of the challenges highlighted this year in the mental health and wellbeing of the youngest in our society, with alarming levels of self-harm, low self-image and anxiety. As we join this year with the Children’s Society to celebrate 50 years of Christingles, we have a chance to make a difference.

On Sunday at 15.30, everyone is welcome to come along for our All-Age Christingle service. I can’t promise a ten-foot MDF orange, but there will be (even better) an appearance from Olivia the walking, talking, singing Orange. Members of Oxford Cherwell Brass will be leading us in some hearty carols. There will be chance to hear a bit about the Children’s Society’s valuable work, and a collection (cash, cheque, and contactless). If you’d like to give but cannot be there, just text ORANGE to 70800 to donate £5. See you there!

Lord of light, who welcomed the little children,
we pray for the work of the Children’s Society,
and all who protect and support children.
We pray for children who feel sad, alone, or angry,
and all whose lives feel hard.
As we get ready to hear the good news of your arrival,
brighten the hearts of all who sit in darkness.
Amen.