Christingle Candles in Abergavenny

The Christingle Service on Christmas Eve at St Mary’s Priory Church, Abergavenny, was a riot of colour and joy as the congregation – young and not-so-young – took a very active part in the telling of the Christmas story.

During the service, as Canon Jeremy Winston told of the birth of Jesus, members of the congregation used the 100 donkey's ears, crowns, angels, stars and a whole herd of sheep created at a Children's Christmas Workshop on the Saturday before Christmas. Every time he mentioned shepherds, for instance, those who had models of sheep had to stand up and hold their sheep up high – and so on for angels, stars, donkeys and wise men; and when he mentioned Jesus, everyone stood up. There was a lot of laughter.

Nearly 130 Christingles were then given out before the lights were turned down to flood the church with candle light.

Caroline Woollard

For more pictures go to the photo gallery at www.stmarys-priory.org