Christingle- Sermon 170

Christingles – most of know what they look like –
(hold one up) – an orange with a candle and other bits stuck in it –

and a lot of us might know what each of the bits mean –

but do we know why we have Christingles and what’s important about them?

(ask the children what they think – hands up those who think its the sweets?)

Well – the name Christingle – means Christ – light –

So in our Christingles- both light and Jesus Christ come together

and what we are going to do – is look at what we understand about Jesus and light – and see whether it helps us answer this question

point 1       Jesus Christ

If we think about what was said about God and Jesus in our readings – then according to the first reading – one word says it all – Can anyone remember what it was? – ‘love’

‘God is love’ – ‘love comes from God ‘-

God’s only wish is to bless us – to show us kindness – and fill our lives with good things – (like the sweets on our Christingles) –

He wants to provide us with the sort of love that we know and experience in a strong loving family

like a Father (parent) and Son – or Father (parent) and daughter – He wants us to live as if we are His children – (and that includes the adults too) –

and because He loves everybody – He wants us all to share that love with Him and with those around us –

But because we sometimes find it difficult to believe this – and to accept His love – He sent His own Son Jesus – to live and die in our world – to show us – what it means to live as one of His children – in the words of our reading – so we might live through Him –

Jesus promises – that if we are willing to follow His ways – His love for us is so strong – that He will accept us into His family – no matter what we have done –

and what makes Jesus – so special – is that He goes on helping – and accepting us today – through the Holy Spirit – loving us – and refusing to let us go – wanting to help each one of us become part of His family – part of His Church

So Jesus – as well as providing Gods love – also provides us with God’s teaching – which is another way in which He brings light into the world

point 2       Light

In our second reading – we are told that Jesus heals a blind man – He made it so that a blind man could see –

Blindness – is something we all hope we never have to experience – it must be very difficult to live in a state of constant darkness – where there are no lights at all –

(can you imagine this church without any lights?)

Lights are important – to us – when its dark – we need them to see where we are going –

Most of our cities are lit up – so are a lot of our streets and motorways –

lights help us on our journey – they also help us – read – and to learn when its dark –

Lights are also used as a warning – to tell us when we are heading in the wrong direction

In the nineteenth century (that’s the 1800’s) – before radar was invented – a captain of a battle ship – was out on patrol – and one night – and he saw a light on the horizon

he realise his ship was on a collision course – so he flashed a signal – we are on a collision course – change your direction!

Back came the message – advise that you change course by 20 degrees-

What! – thought the captain – who does he think he is talking to – He flashed the message back – I am the captain in the Royal Navy – you change course!!

but the response came back – I am a seaman second class – you still better change course by 20 degrees –

By this time the captain had really flipped his cap – ‘I am a battleship- I won’t change course – I’m ordering you to change course-

the reply came back – I am a lighthouse – Be my guest-

Jesus is a like lighthouse in the world – He shows us where it is safe to go – and where it is dangerous to go –

and sometimes – like the captain – we don’t realise how far we’ ve strayed-

Jesus never wrote a book – never held office – didn’t travel more than 200 miles from his home town – but has had the greatest influence that any one has had on this planet –

Jesus did what was right – He told the truth – He taught us that our sins – our wrongdoings – separate us from God – and He came to earth to bridge the gap that our sins have caused –

He died on the cross – so that our sins can be forgiven so that when we recognise our mistakes – we will have another chance – to put them right – and to do things differently – this time with His help –

Jesus brings light into our world – through His love – through His teaching – through His – healing – and through His direction – back to Go

  
point 3       The Chrsitingle-

So what does all this mean for our Christingles –

Our Christingles are given to us to remind us about the many needs of our world – especially the children – and the many ways in which Jesus lights up our lives – and that He is always ready to welcome us into His family –

Jesus is the light of the world –
by what He taught
by the example He gave us
by what He has done for us bringing us back to God –

In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit