Introduction: Every year at Christmas time we decorate our sanctuary with a "Chrismon tree." The word "Chrismon" comes from two words: "Christ" and "monogram." Each decoration is a "monogram" or "symbol" about Jesus. Today we will look at four of these symbols, and see what we can learn about our Savior.

I. The Anchor

A. This chrismon points us to Hebrews 6:18-20, which is the only passage in the Bible which uses the word "anchor."

"That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."

B. Our hope in Jesus Christ is an anchor for the soul.

C. The anchor chain runs from us to Jesus, from us in this world, to Jesus who is within the veil, in the Heavenly Tabernacle. Because He is our high priest forever, and ever lives to make intercession for us, our anchor is both immovable and eternal.

II. The "IHS" super-imposed on a cross.

A. Of course we all know the importance of the cross. It was there that Jesus was executed by the Roman government. In his death, He made an atonement for our sins.

B. The "IHS" has confused many people. Sometimes you see the initials IHS embroidered on altar cloths, or on pulpit furniture, and so on. In English, it can make the acrostic: "In His Service." But actually, IHS are the first three letters in Jesus' name in Greek. (Jesus in Greek is spelled IHSUS: iota, epsilon, sigma, upsilon, and sigma again.)

C. So, IHS on the cross, is Jesus on the cross.

III. The Serpent On the Cross

A. This seems very strange because we are used to thinking of the serpent as a symbol of Satan!

B. But this is a reference to John 3:14-15, which itself is a reference to an incident in the Old Testament, about the "fiery serpents." (see Numbers 21:6-8).

C. John 3:14-15 reads:

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

The Israelites were saved from physical death by looking at the brass serpent. We are saved from spiritual death by looking to Jesus.

IV. The Crown

A. There are actually several crowns on our Chrismon tree. One crown is the "kingly crown." By this we recognize and confess that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He has all authority in Heaven and on Earth. We owe Him our allegiance, obedience and worship.

B. The crown of thorns is also on our tree. We are reminded by that of the love of Christ. He suffered a great deal to be our Savior. He loved us then, and He loves us today. He cares about us, and He prays for us, and watches over us.

Conclusion: So here we have four Chrismons, monograms about Christ. Symbols of Christ. They illustrate for us that Jesus is our anchor, He is our Savior, and He is our Lord. May God help us to truly love Him this Christmas. Amen.