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.