A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
– Isaiah 11:1
A new liturgical year is upon us!
November 30th marks the First Sunday of Advent. Our journey this season will lead us through the symbols of our faith. For many weeks our DWM have been creating Chrismon ornaments to adorn our worship space.
While preparing for our 50th anniversary, a file was found which contained a previous set of Chrismon patterns that were constructed. With the help of the Worship Ministry a small team led by Reva Best, Doris Helvig, and Beverly Bever created a booklet to accompany the new decorations. That set of Chrismons, created in 1988, is gone but the booklet remains.
Every day of this Advent journey, you will receive an email highlighting a different Chrismon symbol. A photo from this season’s ornaments, a description of the symbol, scripture verse, prayer, and a question to ponder will make up the daily email devotional.
It is fitting to use the original description written by Reva Best and The Worship Ministry to lead us into this Advent journey with the symbols of our faith. Many blessings, Happy Thanksgiving, and I look forward to worshipping with you on YouTube or in person this Sunday.
–Brett
THE CHRISMONS
An explanation of the symbols on the Chrismon Tree at the Sun City Christian Church (1988)
The Chrismon Tree originated in the Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Danville, Virginia in 1957. From the beginning, the idea has spread to Christians throughout the world.
Crismon is a combination of two words—CHRIST and MONogram. Hence, a Chrismon is a monogram of Christ.
Chrismons proclaim our Lord Jesus Christ through the use of symbols. Some Chrismons are simple copies of Christianity from its earliest days; others are new explanations of God’s never changing presence in our ever changing world, while others are combinations of several elements, old and new.
All our Chrismons are made in combinations of white and gold—White, the liturgical color for Christmas refers to our Lord’s purity and perfection; God to his majesty and glory. We point to Christ as the light of the World by using tiny white lights on the tree.
Designs will differ in the way that they unite the various elements so that each Chrismon presents its unique message. These symbols are interdenominational and the heritage of all Christians.
We hope these pages will help you understand the truth that the tree proclaims—the story of God’s plan for salvation that, through faith in Jesus Christ, we might all be restored to the Father in a community of love, the Christian Church.
May each of you be blessed with the love and joy and true meaning of Christmas.
–the Worship Ministry (1988 and 2025)