The First United Methodist Church of Laurel
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The Chrismon Tree

What is a Chrismon?

Chrismon are nondenominational Christmas tree decorations that teach the word of God. Chrismon is a combination of two words, Christ and monogram, which means initials or symbols for a particular person. Thus, the Chrismon tree bears symbols or monograms about Jesus Christ, our Savior.

The practice of having a Chrismon Tree began with a Lutheran pastor, Mr. George Pass, in 1940. He began making decorations for his own Christmas tree that were symbols about Jesus Christ, and the meaning of Christmas, instead of the usual pretty shiny balls, Santa Clauses, and reindeer. Also credited with developing Chrismon is Frances Kipps Spencer at Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia. According to some sources, she originated them in 1957 when she set out to create decorations appropriate for a church Christmas tree. Ascension Lutheran Church is now claiming the term “Chrismons” as a trademark, however the term is widely used without recognizing the trademark and seems likely to have fallen into the public domain.

The practice soon caught on with other Christians and many churches, and today the Chrismon Tree is a common sight all over the United States. Our first Chrismon Service at First UMC of Laurel was held in December 1976.

The Symbolism of our Chrismon Tree

Chrismons proclaim our Lord Jesus Christ through the use of ancient Christian symbols that date back to the origin of the Church in the first century AD. As such, these symbols can be claimed by all Christians, coming from our common heritage. Not only do these symbols reference Jesus, but they also can be used to explain the Gospel message, that Jesus Christ came to offer salvation to all people.

The Evergreen Tree symbolizes eternal life. The tiny white lights which adorn the tree represent Christ, the Light of the World. All of the Chrismons used to decorate the tree are in white and gold to symbolize the purity, perfection, majesty, and glory of the Son of God.

The Symbolism of our Chrismon

The Anchor Cross (cross of hope) was used by early Christians as a symbol of their faith when they had to avoid recognition as Christians to avoid persecution.

The Alpha and Omega monogram refers to Christ as the beginning and the end. Revelations 1.8

Angels were God-sent messengers who told people of the Birth, Resurrection, and Ascension of His Son.

The Ark and Rainbow are symbols of Noah and the flood and of God's promise. The Ark is also a symbol of the church.

The Bell throughout the centuries has been used to call people to worship.

The Bible is the Word of God.

The Butterfly symbolizes eternal life and the Resurrection.

The Calvary Cross is the Latin Cross standing an three steps. The steps represent Faith, Hope, and Love.

The Candle symbolizes the Child Jesus. "I am the Light of the world. "

The Celtic Cross is seen quite often.

Chi Rho with Alpha and Omega, is the most widely known Chrismon. The Chi Rho is the combination of the first two letters of the Greek word "Christos" (xpictoc). It is the oldest monogram of Christ and was commonly used by the early church.

The Circle and Triangle represent His eternity of the Trinity.

The Cornersone: Christ is the stone that the builders 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). "Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone." Isaiah 28:16

The Creator's Star represents the six days of creation. It is also called the Star of David and is a symbol of Zionism.

Artists often depict our Lord holding a Cross Atop Orb, the world topped with a cross to symbolize His dominion over the earth.

The Crown is a symbol for the kingship of our Lord Timothy 6:15

The Fish in a Circle is one of Christianity's oldest symbols. It is united with a circle to express the Eternal God. Mark 1:17

The Cross Crosslet, made by combining four Greek crosses, is a symbol of the spread of Christianity to the four of the earth.

The Crown is a symbol for the Kingship of our Lord. Timothy 6:15.

The Crown of Thorns is a representation of our Lord's crown of suffering. Mark 15:17

The Donkey, as a beast of burden, symbolizes the burdens that our Lord carries for us.

The Dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3.16

The pre-Christian figure of the Eight-point Star was adopted by the Christians as a "concealed" Christmon during the Roman persecut ions. In Christian symbolism, the eight-point star refers to regeneration through Holy Baptism.

The Five-point Star represents the Epiphany Star; Our Savior; Manifestation of the Wise Men; "Our Star out of Jacob;" "the bright morning star." Matthew 2:1-11; Numbers 24:17; Revelations 22:16

The Flower of the Dogwood Tree is representative of the crucifixion.

The Greek word for Fish is an acrostic on the first letters of Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior. One of the oldest symbols of our Lord.

The Heart "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart..." Matthew 22:37

The Holly bears a berry as red as any blood. Mary bore Sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good.

IHS in a Circle. The first three letters of Jesus in Greek. The circle may suggest eternity and divinity.The Lily is a symbol of Easter and immortality.

Iota Chi: The Iota (I) is the first letter of Jesus' name in Greek. The Chi (X) is the first letter of His Greek title, Christ. When these two letters are superimposed, they become our Savior's cipher. The symbolic interweaving of initials some people call a star.

The Jerusalem Cross was a symbol used in the Crusades. It consists of one large central cross with four smaller ones suspended in each corner. The small crosses represent those who take up a cross, follow Him, and proclaim the Gospel to the four corners of the world. It is a symbol of the unity of all Christians.

The Lamb: John referred to Jesus; "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world." John 1:29.

Latin Cross with Alpha and Omega: While no one today truly knows that shape of the cross on which our Lord died, the church uses this form, the Latin Cross, most widely. Erly Christians often combined the Alpha and Omega with the cross to declare the Savior's divinity.

The Lamp is symbolic of divine inspiration. Psalm 119:104

The Lily is a symbol of Easter and immortality.

The Lyre represents David and his musical abilities. It also stands for joy in praising the Lord.

The Manger: "And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him, in a manger..." Luke 2; 7

The Sand Dollar represents the suffering and glory of Christ. John 14:26.

The Scroll symbolizes the first five books of the Bible.

The Shamrock represents the Trinity.

The Shell with Drops of Water represents Baptism.

Snowflake: Though your sins be as scarlet, God's word assures us, "They shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18)

The Staff is referenced in the Old and New Testaments, including "...thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

Sun of Righteousness: Our Lord as prophesied in Malachi 4:2: "But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings."

The basic design of the Shepard's Crook with Alpha and Omega was found in the oldest manuscript of Luke. The Alpha and Omega on the shepherd' s crook show that this staff refers to the Eternal One, the Good Shepherd.

The Star and Rose reveals the two natures of Jesus. The Epiphany star has five points and refers to the revelation of our Savior as the Son of God. Revelations 22:16

The Sand Dollar represents the suffering and glory of Christ. John 14:26

The Triangle and Trefoil Chrismon represents the Trinity. Matthew 28:19

The Three Fishes remind us that three persons participate in our salvation.

Ed Note: Material for the descriptions used on this page came from a variety of sources, including the following:

Another good source of information about Christian traditions and symbols is Avondale Pattillo UMC.