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Chrismon Tree Ornaments 1106 North Main Street Garden City, KS 67846 Chrismon Ornaments were originated and first made for use on the Christmas tree of Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia, in 1957 by Mrs. Frances Kipps Spencer, a church member. The designs were monograms of and symbols for our Lord Jesus Christ. Because these designs have been used by his followers since biblical times, they are the heritage of all Christians and serve to remind each of us regardless of denomination of the One we follow. All Chrismon Ornaments are made in a combination of white and gold to symbolize the purity and majesty of the Son of God and the Son of Man. Please use this Chrismon booklet to teach others about our Lord Jesus Christ. Return the booklet to its original place so others can use as a form of discipleship as well. Thanks and enjoy! Alpha & Omega Bell Alpha and Omega are the first and last Bells have been used for centuries to call letters in the Greek alphabet. Used people to worship. They were mentioned together, they symbolize that Christians as early as in the 6th century. Before clocks believe Jesus is the beginning and the end a church bell was rung to tell people it was of all things. time to attend a wedding, funeral or other services. High church towers were built just so that the bells could be heard as far as possible. May the bells we hear remind us of God’s gift to us, the birth of Jesus. Anchor Cross Bottony Cross The Anchor Cross was used by early The cross always reminds us of Jesus’ Christians as a symbol of their faith when great gift to us through his death and they had to avoid recognition as Christians resurrection. The three-leafed clover end in order to avoid persecution. caps of the Bottony Cross also remind us of the Trinity. A connection can also be made with Aaron’s staff that budded and was preserved in the Ark of the Covenant, showing that life can emerge from death and renewed life from difficult circumstances. Bag of Silver Butterfly Judas, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples who The butterfly is an ancient symbol of the kept the money purse, betrayed Jesus for resurrection of Christ. In it’s life in the 30 pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:15) cocoon it appears to be dead. And then mysteriously it comes to life and breaks through its prison. In it’s transformation it becomes a beautiful creature that is free to fly in any direction it wishes Calvary Cross Circle and Triangle The Calvary Cross is the Latin cross The Circle and Triangle represent the standing on the three steps which eternity of the Trinity. represent Faith, Hope, and Love. Candle Circle Chi Rho Butterfly The Candle represents that Christians Symbolizes the world, God’s wholeness, believe Jesus in the Light of the World. and eternity. The butterfly, of course, is the symbol of the resurrection. Chi Rho Cornerstone Two Greek letters which are the first letters Christ is the stone that the builders in the Greek word for Christ. rejected, but which has turned up to be the most important in the construction of God’s eternal Temple. It may be decorated with various other symbols of the faith (anchor-cross, Chi-halo, etc). Crown Dove with Branch Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus is the ruler over heaven Today the dove with an olive branch has come to symbolize peace, safety, and earth and God’s desire for reconciliation with mankind. Cup of Bread The cup is called a chalice after the Latin Eight Pointed Star word for “cup”. The bread is referred to as the host after the Latin word for “victim” The Eight Pointed Star symbolizes as a remembrance that Christ gave himself regeneration and baptism. for us. The cup and bread together are a reminder of the Lord’s supper. At the Supper, Jesus said that when we eat the bread and drink the wine in his Name he is present with us. Jesus is always present with us and always giving himself to us. Descending Dove Five Pointed Star and Rose The use of a descending dove to represent The symbolism of the rose is derived the Holy Spirit is based upon the account from Isaiah’s prophecy of Zion’s glory. of Jesus’ baptism found in Luke 3:22. “The desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” It has come to symbolize the Messiah. It is also used for Mary. The combination of the rose and the five point star is the two natures of Christ: He is true God and He is true Man. Fish Greek Cross The first letter of each Greek word for “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, savior” spell The Greek Cross has arms of equal length. the Greek word for “fish”. The Ichthys symbol was used by the early Christians This particular symbol has circles on the as a secret sign to designate themselves as believers in Jesus. arms, representing eternity. Iota-Chi Fish and Bread The first letters in the Greek words for We are reminded of the breakfast on the beach to which Jesus called his Jesus Christ disciples following his resurrection. Also, Jesus fed the multitudes with loaves and fishes. Fleur-de-lis Cross Iota and Chi in a Circle Fleur-de-lis Cross consists of a fleur-de-lis, Iota and chi are the first letters in the Greek the symbol of Purity at each arm end. words for Jesus Christ. The two letters in the circle (the symbol for eternity) remind us that Christ offers us eternal life. Iota, Eta, Sigma in a Circle Lily These are the first three letters in the Greek The Resurrection. Based on the emergence word for Jesus. These letters in the circle of the flower from the seemingly dead bulb. (the symbol for eternity) remind us that Jesus gives us eternal life. Jesus Christ Victor IC (iota and sigma) are the first and last letters in the Greek word for Jesus. XC (chi Maltese Cross and sigma) are the first and last letters in The Maltese Cross is formed of four the Greek word for Christ. NIKA (nu, iota, spearheads with points touching at the kappa, alpha) is the Greek word for victor. center. The eight points symbolize the Jesus is the Victor! Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. The cross is the emblem of St. John the Baptist. Latin Cross with Alpha & Omega Manger We are reminded that Jesus is the Alpha It is amazing how an insignificant thing like and the Omega, the Beginning and the a manger, a feeding trough for animals, End, who died on the cross for us. can have such important meaning. Luke mentions the manger in chapter 2, verse 7. Orb and Cross Shepherd’s Crook The orb (symbol of the earth) has a cross The symbol of the Good Shepherd (Jesus) over it. We are reminded that the world and also for the shepherds who visited the needs Christ. manger in Bethlehem. Scroll Represents the bible and the earliest form in which the bible was written. Sun/Son of Righteousness Our Lord as prophesized in Malachi 4:2, “But for you who fear my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in his wings.” Shell Serpent Lifted Up The scallop shell is a symbol of baptism. A sign of salvation coming from the Old Many early pictures of the baptism of Testament, and mentioned in John 3:14. Jesus by John show John pouring water from such a shell onto Jesus’ Head. The shell was also used by early church members as a sign of pilgrimage. Of course, when we are baptized we begin our pilgrimage to live our lives according to the way of Jesus. Ship Three Fish The Ship is a symbol of the Church, sailing towards heaven. God determines One of the early signs of Christendom was the means of salvation and who enters heaven. the fish. The Greek word for fish is IXTHUS. This is an acrostic for the Greek words for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. Triangle The Triangle represents the Trinity: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Tau Cross The Tau Cross is a simple cross formed by the Greek letter “Tau”. It is the most ancient of the forms of crosses. It is the Old Testament cross because it was the traditional sign made by the Israelites on the door posts of Egypt on the night of the Passover. TreFoil Triangle and Trinitarian Three circles interposed symbolize the Both are symbols of the Trinity. unity of the Trinity, yet the separate Persons thereof. Triquetra This is an early symbol used by Christians as a sign of the Holy Trinity. The three equal arcs (composed exactly of three overlapping Viseca piscis symbols) express eternity in their continuous form, indivisibility in their interweaving, and their center is a triangle, ancient Trinity symbol. Triumphant Church The world (as seen by the latitude and longitude lines) with the cross on top, reminds us that Christ is triumphant over the challenges presented by living in the world. Whip Used on Jesus prior to his crucifixion..
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