Christmas celebrations began in earnest at Horning Primary School in the first week of December, when the pupils joined the local community in St Benedict’s Church for a Christingle service before heading back to school for a Christmas lunch.
The Christingle service and the making of Christingles is a tradition in the Christian church that dates back to the 18th century; a joyful celebration that brings together families and communities, as it did in Horning. A Christingle is an orange that represents the world, and the red ribbon symbolises the love of Christ. Sweets and dried fruit are stuck into the orange to represent all Creation, and a lighted candle to bring hope to the world. Deputy Executive Head of the school, David Hopkins, commented on this joyful occasion, saying:
“The children thoroughly enjoyed learning about the different symbolic meanings within the Christingle service, and singing the carols that accompanied it. During the last song, the candles were lit, and we joined our guests from the village in thoughts of kindness towards our families, friends and the wider world.”
On return to the school, the pupils found the classroom transformed into a banquet hall fit for a king, with party hats and crackers that are a ‘must’ to accompany any Christmas dinner. The children were joined by the Reverend David Smith and clergy from the Church, who, alongside school staff, tucked into a superb feast.
“At the end of the meal, we expressed our sincere thanks to the Reverend David, as he and his wife embark on a well-deserved retirement,” said David Hopkins. “Two of our pupils, Rosa and Ashton, presented him with flowers, and a card filled with good wishes from the whole school. In all, it was a wonderful occasion – the beginning of the Christmas season and a chance for the whole school to wish farewell to someone who has supported the school wholeheartedly.”