CHRISMONS?? WHAT? What are they?

  CHRISMONS?? WHAT?
  White and Gold Ornaments on Christmas trees ...                  Christmas 2012
    What are they? 

                                                                         
                                  Christmas 2012, Three generations worked on Chrismon tree,
                                             my mother, my granddaughter and me.
           
             It was my first year as a believer. And December, 1979, came in a glorious way. Every Christmas tree greener, every manger scene pulling me with a power like never before, making me want to kneel and....

             We visited at my in-laws' church. A Methodist church well known in our area. The front near the altar adorned with poinsettias, red bows sprinkled here and there. Just right. Beautiful Christmas carols sung by the choir ... bells aringing ...  and then, I saw it for the first time in my life! The Christmas tree near the altar was decorated with these strange gold and white ornaments. What were those?

              After the service, being of a curious sort, I asked my mother-in-law, "What were those symbols on the tree? Is there a reason why they were only white and gold? Do they come out only at Christmas time?" She stared at my face and waited for me to breathe again.
               
               "Marggie, they're called Chrismons. I have a book at home that explains them. You can have it," she said.
              
                A couple of years later my seven year old daughter and I decided we would decorate by making ornaments for a  Chrismon tree. We worked hard on the symbols and some of our friends and family members were really encouraging. They decided to add to our Chrismons so the ornaments we have today are all special to us. Oh, by the way .... this is what I found out from the book.

       Chrismon: Information and Trivia

         1. A Chrismon is a Christian symbol representing Jesus Christ.

         2. The word Chrismon comes from the Latin phrase "Christi monogramma," meaning "monogram of Chirst."

         3. The Ascension Lutheran Church, in Danville, VA, holds the copyright on the word "Chrismons."

         4. The rights to that word were given to the church by Mrs. Frances Spencer, who originated the concept and brought it to that church in 1957.

         5. Chrismons may never be made for profit.

         6. Chrismons are either all white or all gold or white and gold. The gold represents Christ's majesty as King Of Kings, the white represents His holiness as God and Lord of lords.

        

        *After some research and feedback from other people who have Chrismon trees I learned
         one can place words, objects, letters, titles and names of Christ as a Chrismon on the tree.
         It differs according to how strict or lenient a person wants to be. However, the ornament
         pattern of colors is always the same, white,gold,or white and gold.
                                                                                        

                                                                      

   Crosses crocheted by my mother in 1981.

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS HAPPENING ... The Stranger ... The Retuns

          

                    The Stranger ... The Returns                          From Memoir, A Dot In Time

   

     My old CD chimed within my car, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, as I waited in the parking lot. Outside the store a lady fidgeted with the Redbox kiosk, trying to get her movie. She pulled her sweater collar around her neck. I decided to wait, wrapped in the joyful sound, and delighted to sense my heater's gentle breathing on my sandaled toes.

     Suddenly, I became aware of the presence. A diminutive figure stood  in front of my car like a lone reed.

    Oh, no. I thought.  He doesn't know I've been waiting. He'll get ahead of me. I wanted to return the movie and get on with life. Errands to run, bathrooms to clean, Christmas presents still to wrap.

    I scanned over the fellow before me. His beige, shabby jacket, faded jeans, day-old beard, chopped cropped hair ... and those glasses! Round glass circles, thick, thick, thick. And what pulled me in and glued me to them was that yellow tint.  My mind reeled fast like an out of control broken movie projector. Oh my goodness. Did he have that tint put in intentionally? I traced his figure down a bit and discovered the mustard shirt inside his jacket. Was the tint the reflection of that material? And, I smiled to myself. Mischief crept in. He's not a reed. He's Mr. Hotdog! Mustard and all.  

     I scooted out of my car, hoping Mr. Hotdog would let me go next. I stared into thick yellow tinted glasses on the small face occupied by a giant smile. "You were here first," he said.

    "Thank you. It's only a return," I said. His smile got wider.

    I plunged myself into the machinery to return my DVD  but could not get it to work. One way and another I seemed to place it in the wrong way. Frustrated I glanced at the stranger patiently waiting.

     "Could you help me, sir? I never returned one of these before."     

      He worked at putting the DVD on the right side facing the right way. It took a few tries to get it just right and I thanked him.

     "You're welcome. Sometimes I also have problems with the returns."

     I turned hurriedly to leave. But, heard his voice once again. "Merry Christmas." Merry Christmas?

    I stopped and looked back into his thick tinted glasses. "Merry Christmas!" I returned.

 

   Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.  Hebrews 13:2

TODAY ...

                   

                  Today ...      

 

           His look captured my eyes and then his words plunged into my soul.

           "Organ donor?" He said.

           I froze. Organ donor? Was that to be engraved on my new driver's license? Etched there by my submitted will?  I remembered then what I had asked Him.

          "It's Your celebration this month. What do You want me to give You for your birthday?"

          "Organ donor, Mrs. Rassler. Do you want to be an organ donor?"

          Past fears surfaced to be snuffed out by my mind's picture of a humble stable. A forlorn little stable stamped by destiny with the shadow of  a cross.

          And then, the voice jolted me out of the pensive trance.

          "Organ donor?" he asked once more.

          "Yes. Donor." I said