|
THE CHRISMONS The Lutheran Church of St. John Flushing, New York |
|
The Chrismons, the white, home-made ornaments on our Christmas tree, are all various symbols of Jesus
Christ our Lord. They are the story of His life and mission for us and for the world. |
| THE NATIVITY CHRISMONS |
|
TRIANGLE & CIRCLE: These are symbols of the divinity of Jesus. The Circle, with no beginning and no
end, symbolizes eternity. The Triangle is a symbol of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit. The child born at Christmas is the eternal Son of God. IHS: Iota-Eta-Sigma are the first three letters in the Greek name, Jesus, which means Savior. As the angel announced to Joseph: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21). ROSE: "The desert and the parched land will be gald; the wilderness will rejoicce and blossom with flowers. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. (Isaiah 35:1-2) Isaiah's prophecy that the desert would blossom as a rose was fulfilled when Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea. FLEUR DE LIS (Lily): "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley." (Song of Songs 2:1) CHI-RHO: Chi and Rho are the first two letters of the Greek word "CHRISTOS," that is Christ. This is the name and title which the angels gave to the Child of Bethlehem when they announced his birth to the shepherds. Christos in Hebrew is Messiah. FISH: ICHTHUS, the Greek word for "fish", forms an acrostic on the first letters of "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior." The fish is one of the most ancient symbols of our Lord, an ancient confession of faith in Him. Fish symbols are found in the catacombs in Rome. |
| THE EPIPHANY CHRISMONS |
|
STAR: "A star shall come forth out of Jacob." (Numbers 24:17) The star which the Magi has seen in the
East when ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star
they were overjoyed. DOVE: The dove is a symbol of Jesus' baptism, as the Holy Spirit came upon him at the Jordan. "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him." (Matthew 3:16) MALTESE CROSS: This is a symbol of Christ's teaching ministry. Its eight points represent the eight Beatitudes (St. Matthew 5:3-10). |
| THE PASSION CHRISMONS |
|
BUTTERFLY: Just as a caterpillar spins a cocoon and lies encased in a seemingly dead shell only to emerge
in a changed form as a beautiful butterfly, so Jesus was entombed, but rose victorious from the dead. CROWN: Jesus ascended into heaven as King of kings and Lord of lords. "The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever." THREE CIRCLES: The three circles once again represent the Holy Trinity. Our Lord Jesus now sits at the right hand of God the Father and sends His Holy Spirit to live in and among us. ALPHA AND OMEGA: These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and as such they symbolize Christ as the beginning and the end of all things, ruling into eternity. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, Who is, and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8) JERUSALEM CROSS: This cross, with four small crosses pointing out in all four directions, symbolizes our mission to spread the Gospel of Christ to North, East, South and West. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And be assured, I will be with you always to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) |
| Return to Publications. |
| Last Updated 3/6/2008 |