THE lights of the Christmas trees currently on display in Tavistock Parish Church will be augmented with further atmospheric light this Sunday, when the church holds its Christingle Service, particularly for families and young children.

This special service, at 4pm, will bring the church's present Christmas Tree Festival to a close.

Many households in Tavistock last weekend began the season of Advent — the countdown to Christmas — with Advent calendars or by lighting candles on an Advent wreath. The Christingle is another tradition for heralding the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World.

The tradition involves surrounding an orange with red ribbon and adorning it with a candle and sticks of sweets and dried fruit.

It originates, like many Christmas customs, in Germany, as an explanation of the love of Jesus in a way that children can understand. The orange of the Christingle represents the world; the sweets and raisins skewered onto four sticks represent the fruits of the earth and the four seasons; the encircling ribbon represents Jesus's death and resurrection; and a lit candle pushed into the top of the orange represents Jesus as our light and our redemption.

All are warmly invited to St Eustachius' church for special Christingle carols and prayers, enjoying for a last time the lights of the Christmas trees before they are dismantled next week, and decorating the Christingle oranges with sweets.

Those present in church form a giant circle around the nave, holding the glowing offerings in the twilight, celebrating together the tranquility of Advent and the anticipation of the joyful festival to come. All are most welcome to attend and to stay afterwards for a special tea.