Emmanuel's Chrismon Trees

Emmanuel members and visitors have grown accustomed to the twin "Chrismon" trees which, each year, are erected in the church's Altar area before Christmas and remove following the first Sunday after Christmas.

The word "Chrismon" is derived from two words: CHRISt and the MONogram of Christ. The original historical Chrismons were carved or drawn by some of the earliest Christians. Monograms have been found in many places -- some on jewelry and utensils, others on doors, in catacombs or in buildings. Early Christians used them to identify themselves to one another, to designate meeting places of the Church, and sometimes to show unbelievers where they stood. Even more importantly, these symbols of the foundling Church served to transmit the faith and belief of the artist-teacher to the viewer. Thus the inspiration was shared and passed on.

From an artistic viewpoint, these first monograms were very beautiful. By using these symbols of our faith to decorate a Chrismon tree, it has become possible to bring out distinctly the real reason we celebrate Christmas -- the celebration of Christ's birth. It is our hope that our Chrismon trees will not only be worthy to be placed in the Lord's house, but serve as an inspiration during this Holy season.

Chrismons are always made in combinations of white and gold -- white, the liturgical color for Christmas, refers to our Lord's purity and perfection, gold to his majesty and glory. We point to Christ as the "Light Of The World" by using tiny white lights on the trees. The Chrismons are very fragile, frequently built from plastic foam and embellished with white beads. Whenever possible, the back of each Chrismon indicates the biblical reference which is its inspiration.

The Church has found a variety of ways to tell the Good News, and the living Church of today will find still other ways of making God's love more meaningful and apparent to each of us. We affirm these beliefs in our decorating of two Chrismon trees at Emmanuel by adding new designs each year. Some of the Chrismons are developed from symbols of the Church in its earliest years. Others were first used by the inspired writers of the Bible, Still others are new interpretations that add depth to our understanding of the Lord and our relationship to Him. We have always insisted, however, that any Chrismon must refer primarily to our Lord and Master. We find that the more we grow as Christians, the more we have to say. The Chrismon trees at Emmanuel will hopefully never be finished.

The phrase "Chrismons" is trademarked by the Ascension Lutheran Church of Danville, VA. The contemporary Chrismon design originated with Mrs. Frances Spencer, a former member of that congregation in 1957. If you are interested in books on making Chrismons follow this link.

Emmanuel will always be grateful to Bob and Florence Woodside for their insight, patience, craftsmanship, persistence -- and, yes, finances -- which were central to the development of our Chrismon trees.

“Glory to God in the highest,
and peace, good will among men.'”
Luke 2: 14