My Corner Online
Chrismon Tree
Here is a video of our Chrismons on our tree in 2021.
I had always remembered a Chrismon trees at Christmas time in the two previous churches I had attended, but our church in 2001 did not have one.
I cannot believe some of the things I have done in the past. How did I find the time? In 2001, my men and I hand sewed 43 ornaments which you see in this photo of a Chrismon tree at my church. I then wrote a children's program to introduce the meaning of each. I remember doing the bulk of the sewing, but I also remember how much time and help my men put into them. They mostly sewed the white stitches, filling in the blank areas after I had done the main areas. I could have never done it with out them! It took us months to complete. The ornaments were created with the plastic fabric, if that is what you call it, and yarn.
These pages highlight each of these 42 Chrismons (43 ornaments because their are 2 fish) and their meanings about the Christian chrismon symbols.
Why are they called Chrismons?
The ornaments are called Chrismons. They are all Christian symbols that give honor to Christ. They all point to Jesus. We should be careful not to worship the Chrismons, but to worship the One to which they point.
The word "Chrismon" actually comes from two words: "Christ" and "monogram." A Chrismon is just that--a monogram of Christ.
What is a monogram?
One kind of monogram that we use today are initials. For instance, the first letter of each part of your name is a monogram. Have you ever put your initials on something, like a shirt, towel, or luggage? W.W.J.D. was a common monogram at one time seen on many products which stands for "What Would Jesus Do."
That's what a monogram is: something that stands for something else. We could make a monogram for Jesus that would be J.C. The J would stand for Jesus and the C would stand for Christ. But in Jesus' time they didn't write in English. They wrote in Greek. So some of the ornaments on our tree are like Greek initials for the words for Jesus and Christ.
Another kind of monogram is a picture or symbol which stands for Christ. In early times people drew pictures or symbols to help explain what they believed about God. Many of these symbols were designed almost 2000 years ago by the first Christians. Many have remained until today.
Why are the ornaments only white and gold?
White is the liturgical color for Christmas. It stands for purity and perfection. Several scripture references describe God with the color "white." "Then he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them." Mark 9:2 & 3a "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it." "He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels." Revelations 20: 11 & 3:5
Gold stands for God's glory and majesty. God instructed that much of His temple be overlaid with gold. "He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out." Exodus 37:2 "The great street of the city was of pure gold." Revelation 21 :21
Our Life In Christ - Categories for the Chrismons
These Chrismons all point to Jesus and tell something about Him, giving glory to God, the real reason for celebrating Christmas. We can learn more about Jesus by studying these ornaments.
OUR LIFE IN CHRIST story: Through Holy Baptism, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we are brought to faith in Jesus our Lord and Savior, who redeemed us, by His death on the cross, through His Word, and the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and in regular worship we are strengthened until that great day when we shall rise to eternal life with the King of Kings.
The Chrismons are grouped into categories through the story of the Gospel messages. At the top of each page is this story and in bold is the highlight of the part of the story the Chrismon represents.
Below is a chart of the "our life in Christ" story and the Crismons for each matching category.
OUR LIFE IN CHRIST THE CRISMONS
Through Holy Baptism ...............................................................water, shell, Holy Trinity
in the name of the Father .........................................................hand,
and of the Son ............................................................................. nativity symbols (angel, creator's star/star of David
............................................................................................................ manger, epiphany star), Chi-Rho,
............................................................................................................ Iota‑Chi, fish with ichthus, IHS. shepherd's staff
and of the Holy Spirit .............................................................. descending dove, flame,
we are brought to faith in Jesus, our Lord
and Savior, who redeemed us ..............................................thistle, crown of thorns, sacrificial Iamb
by His death on the cross....................................................... Iatin cross, tau cross, Jerusalem/crusader's
........................................................................................................... cross, calvary cross, anchor cross, celtic cross, bottony cross
through His Word ......................................................................Bible, 10 commandments, scroll, lamp, candlelight
and the Sacrament of Holy Communion..........................chalice, grape, wheat
and in regular worship..............................................................ship, kneeling servant, lyre, Luther's Seal
we are strengthened, until that great
day when we shall rise to eternal life ................................. butterfly, Iamb with victory banner, orb & cross and see our great Lord and Savior,
with the King of Kings ...............................................................crown, Alpha & Omega
Supplies and Patterns
I am amazed at how many times each year I receive a private message on the various social media platforms requesting a download of patterns. I do not have patterns. Some of these I followed a pattern in a book I had or other resource I found, and still others I created myself by merely looking at a photo. My answer to the question of patterns is always the same in that each of the photos on each of the following pages has a clear enough image that you can see where the stitching goes and I give you permission to use my photos as a pattern. The choices of colors and materials and extra additions such as the borders and the hangers were all my creative spark at well. Feel free to copy my work all in the glory of God.
I also receive often the question of what gold thread I used. I still have my supplies that I used, so I am sharing photos here for you. I made these so long ago that these supplies may not be available anymore, but you can see I purchased them all at Hobby Lobby, and you can see the brand names and color numbers, if any, and the thickness and texture of the materials. Please NOTE there is a piece of white felt on the back of each ornament. It did not take much glue for it to adhere.
The gold yarn is by Needloft (Uniek) out of Wanakee, Wisconsin, and it is color #51017. There was some dark brown yarn in my supplies and and the label was not present for a color number.
The hanger at the top of each can actually be found in the Christmas ribbon section of the store.
This is what the cord for the hangers looks like on a spindle. It is fairly round and thick.
This is the gold thread that everyone inquires about. It is a Rainbow Gallery Plastic Canvas 7 metallic needlepoint yarn. It has a flat and wide surface. This is what really makes the ornaments look special. Each ornament is outlined in it, as well as some other stitches used sparingly within the design.
I had two more special needlepoint in my supplies, but I am not sure how much of them I used. If you spy them in one of the ornaments, here they are for you to see. I believe the silver is on an angel one and possibly others.
A close up of the text under the gold metallic yarn for details in the case that they do not sell this anymore and you need to by a comparable item.
This is the details for the white yarn.
