Christingle

The Christingle service began in daylight at the end of the afternoon, and by the time the candles were lit it was dark. The church lights went out and the children's faces were lit by their candles only, while they sang a hymn.
Candlelight is very appealing in this situation, and there was an air of expectancy, stillness and wonder.
Then walking home through the village in various directions, the happy voices broke the stillness and torches bobbed in the darkness.