Christmas Eve Means a New Chrismon

The St. Andrews chrismon collection. The Presbyterian Women make these chrismons, since 1991. If you come to our 5:00 family service in Christmas Eve, you’ll be given the 2015 chrismon. Plus all kids will be able to be in a Christmas pageant.

A chrismon is a Christian symbol representing Jesus Christ. Instead of ornaments decorating the tree at church, these symbols tell the story of Christ and early church history.

Photo credit:  Margaret Williams

Short History of Chrismons:

Chrismons are a type of Christmas Tree decoration used in many churches and often in the homes of Christians.  The symbols used represent a variety of biblical and theological concepts that are well known among most believers. Often, if the ornaments on a Christmas tree are comprised mostly of Christian symbols, the tree is known as a “Chrismon tree.”  Chrismons are white with gold (traditional Advent colors) decorations of beads, ribbon, glitter, etc.

So Chrismons are different from normal Christmas ornaments. They are symbols from Christian history and tell the story of the true meaning of Christmas.  The Chrismon Tree that graces our sanctuary during Advent symbolizes everlasting life through Jesus Christ.  the tiny, white lights speak of Him who is the Light of the World.  The white of the Chrismons stands for the purity and holiness of Jesus; the gold represents the glory and majesty of God.  Other colors may be added only when their use is necessary to the meaning of the symbol.

Chrismons are handmade and personal. They cannot be bought but must be made according to the talents and  willingness of people who use their own hands to express love for Christ.

For more than 20 years. the Presbyterian Women of St. Andrews have been making Chrismons to give to each child who attends our Christmas Eve family worship service.  The new design is revealed on Christmas Eve, and 200 Chrismons are given to families and children.  This tradition was started in 1991 by the late Zee Sellmansberger, who was inspired by the women of Eastminster Presbyterian Church.  We started a new tradition in 2012 by having the children themselves decorate the Chrismon Tree with the help of adults.

The first modern usage of Chrismons as decorations for Advent and Christmas trees goes back to 1957 during a Lutheran Christmas service in Danville, Virginia, but the origins come from early Christians and the Latin phrase, “Christi monogramma”, meaning “monogram of Christ.”  In early Christian history, Chrismons traditionally referred to any symbol or figure reminiscent of the name of Christ.