What is in Kelvin's Head?

Sticky moments

christingleForgive me. I’m about to say something that some of you are not going to like at all.

Sorry everyone, but this is probably worse than trainee teachers casting aspertions about the reality of Father Christmas. (The silly fool involved should have told them about Saint Nicholas and had done with it).

My problem is not to do with the objective reality of Santa. It is to do with the origins of the Christingle. Who on earth thought up this sticky, messy nonsense? We are told by well meaning people that it is a tradition that comes from Moravia. Lots of good things come from the Moravian Church, but I struggle to believe that the custom of sticking candles in oranges and decorating them with dolly mixtures and then telling children that it is all about Christmas has anything to do with Moravia. (The Orange and Dolly Mixtures Marketing Board, perhaps, but not the Moravians).

How many oranges are waiting to be plucked from orange groves in Moravia in December I ask you?

Bah!

Comments

29 responses to “Sticky moments”

  1. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    Goodness, I’ve never heard of such a thing. Why on earth would anyone stick a candle in an orange?

    Reply
  2. David |Dah • veed| Avatar
    David |Dah • veed|

    There was a post about this at MadPriest’s. This silly contraption has not made it over the Atlantic as far as I know.

    Some folks put oranges in Christmas stockings with nuts in the shell and wrapped candies.

    I have mostly seen gum drops as decorations on little chrome or plastic Christmas trees.

    Reply
  3. MadPriest Avatar
    MadPriest

    Thank you, Father Kelvin. Your bravery and example have helped me, after years of denial, to come out of the closet.

    I am also a Christingle hater.

    There, I said it. I am free at last!

    Reply
  4. kelvin Avatar
    kelvin

    Madpriest – We need to set up a support group for people like us. We are a downtrodden people.

    I was once told whilst ranting about this before, that Canadians make Christingles with apples rather than oranges.

    I’m not sure whether this is either true or helpful.

    Our Canadian Correspondent will no doubt let us know.

    Reply
  5. Peter O Avatar
    Peter O

    We very rarely agree on anything Kelvin, but on this subject I will happily stand alongside you. Christingle loathers of the world unite – you have nothing to lose but your sticky fingers.

    Reply
  6. Moyra Avatar
    Moyra

    I would be most content never to have to go to or take part in another Christingle service again.

    There are much better ways of getting the Christmas message across to children.

    Reply
  8. kelvin Avatar
    kelvin

    Thank you all for your comments. They mean a great deal.

    I had thought I was the only one…

    Reply
  10. serena Avatar
    serena

    As someone who once had to cut little holes in the tops of many oranges for the purpose of sticking a candle into them, I am totally in agreement with you!!

    Reply

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