As a
teenager in the Baptist church we worked with styrofoam and glass gold beads to
create Chrismon ornaments from the patterns developed by Mrs. Frances Kipps Spencer. My ladies group at church decided that we
would make Chrismon ornaments for our sanctuary tree. In the past ten years I
have rekindled my love for the symbols of Christ and use only those to decorate
my Christmas tree. A local suppliers in Salisbury, NC sells the patterns, church
kits, and individual ornaments kits. It is exciting to visit churches around
the area and see the symbols of Christ decorating the huge Christmas trees. The
church where I teach a ladies bible study has two gorgeous tree literally
covered in symbols. Their Chrismon of the Hand of God is very elaborate and
detailed. Someone asked me what it represented. Now I know. Also on their tree
was and orb and cross/Triumphant Cross. Just this year I determined to add to my
collection. The triquetra, also called the Trinity Knot, was fashioned in white
pearls and another in gold beads. A Lamb of God/Agnus Dei is one of my
favorites, a crown, and star of David were new to my tree this year. This pamphlet
is such a useful tool for teaching others about the life of Christ through
symbols. To think Emperor Constantine promoted the Chi Roi by having the symbol
painted on the soldiers’ shields as they entered the battle to reclaim Rome.
One of my favorite symbols is the Ichthus using the Greek word for fish as an
acrostic for Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior. I jumped at the chance to review this pamphlet on
Christian symbols. Thank you Rose Publishing for giving
me this pamphlet in a pdf file.
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