2021 Chrismon Tree

The fish is an ancient symbol for Christ. It was a secret sign during persecutions of the early Christians.  On catacomb walls, fish pointed to places of worship. 

The cross is, of course, always a reminder of our Lord’s saving work of redeeming mankind through his sacrifice for our sins, by which we receive forgiveness and salvation.  There are many crosses.  This is the Latin cross, today’s most common cross design.

The star, formed by crosses set at various angles, shows the close relationship between the birth and death of Christ.  Christians adopted the 8-pointed star, a pre-Christian figure, as a ‘concealed’ Chrismon during the Roman persecutions.  The new Christians easily recognized the crosses in the intersecting lines.  It’s good to recall it wasn’t always easy to be a Christian, even in name.

The crown symbolizes the Kinship of our Lord; His victory over sin and death.

The triquetrum, a figure composed of three separate and equal arcs, symbolizes the Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  The combination of three entwined circles also represents the Trinity

This may look like a star but it is not.  The X, the first letter in the Greek name for Christ, and the Latin cross are frequently combined.  Christ and the cross – can we ever separate them? Only when we understand both can we begin to see the measure of God’s love.

On our tree, several symbols, including this 6-pointed star, are found inside a circle.  Placing Christian symbols in a circle is a common practice.  Because it is endless, the circle can symbolize eternity and thus represents God, the only eternal One. 

Our current tree is missing several of the original Chrismon ornaments made in 1969.  The Heritage Ministry hopes to replace them by Christmas 2022.  This elaborate 3-D star is believed to be one of the original