Thursday, December 14, 2006

Cathedral puts out the flames of Christingle

For the first time in more than 250 years, children will not be allowed to carry candles at a cathedral service in case their hair catches fire.



There is no record of a child going up in flames since the Christingle service began at Chelmsford Cathedral in 1747. However, children this year will carry fluorescent glow sticks rather than the traditional candles set in oranges.

The Christmas Eve service is centred on each child's Christingle - an orange with four spikes in it holding sweets and, usually, a lighted candle in the top, symbolising Christ's light and love.

Richard Spilsbury, one of the organisers, said some parents had raised concerns about their children's hair catching fire.

No comments: