Positive message from Kidwelly Christingle Service

Theology, history, science and pyrotechnics all made for a happy church service performed by Fr Jim Flanagan at St Marys Church in Kidwelly.

The service is geared towards children, including in its duration.  Every child and adult was given an orange decorated with a red band, a candle and 4 cocktail sticks of sweets – each item having its own meaning.

The religious message was positive and hopeful, and included some laughs mainly at the refusal of the candle to stay alight, although when it did and was sprinkled with iron filings it looked very impressive.  As did 4 sparklers lit at the end of the service.

The candle represents the world, the red band the love and blood of Christ, the candle God, the flame the light of Jesus, the four sticks the four seasons and food.  The tradition dates from Germany in the 1700s.

The collection after the service was for Plant Dewi, who have been supporting families since 2002in the Diocese of St David’s which covers the Counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.