My childhood Christmas tree was always a wondrous part of Advent for me. I found joy and comfort in that our tree looked the same every year. We adorned our green tree with white lights, white doves, red satin ornaments and beautifully beaded white crosses. My Mom lovingly hand-stitched each cross and there were over twenty different types of crosses on our tree. She knew the story of each cross and would share the history with us as we decorated it. This special ritual helped prepare my heart for the gift of the Christ Child every year.
Several years after Bob and I were married, Mom told us that she was very excited about the Christmas gift they were giving us that year. Now, she was a stickler for holding out until Christmas, but she said this year we would get our gift early. We had no idea what to expect! On Thanksgiving weekend, Bob and I opened a box of beautiful white and gold “Chrismons” that Mom had been making for us for several years. She was beaming with joy as she watched us open her gift of love. At the bottom of the box was a notebook with drawings and an explanation of the meaning of each symbol. Her gift brought tears to my eyes and touched our hearts deeply.
The word “Chrismon” is a combination of the words Christ and monogram, and means symbols of Christ. Because these designs have been used by His followers since biblical times, they are the heritage of all Christians and serve to remind each of us regardless of denomination of the One we follow. These decorations are traditionally white and gold. White represents the color of Christmas and symbolizes that Jesus was pure and perfect. The gold represents His majesty and glory.
Frances Kipps Spencer, the daughter of missionary parents and a member of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia, created the first “Chrismons” for trees in 1957. She wanted a way to decorate her church’s sanctuary while reminding parishioners of the true meaning of Christmas.
Our Chrismon tree has become an integral part of our Advent season and is also adorned with white lights. I have made one addition to our tree since Mom entered the Kingdom of Heaven. Mom loved the song Silver Bells and would sing it toKelly and Paul when she rocked them as infants. She also loved to tell me when she had “Silver Belled” one of them to sleep! I asked our grandchildren to hand out small silver bells at her memorial service as a gesture of that sweet remembrance. When we look at the Chrismon tree, we are reminded of Mom’s love for our family, and of Christ’s love for the family of faith.
Marsha Long, Director of Hospitality Ministry
