Introduction: Wayside has been building a "Chrismon Tree" in its sanctuary for quite a few years now, but many people still are unfamiliar with the word "Chrismon." So, let me take a bit of your time to explain...

I. Some history: The practice of having a “Chrismon Tree” began with Mr. George Pass, who was a pastor, but also a grounds keeper and furnace man. In 1940 he was employed by Mrs. Frances Kipps Spencer (who was the originator of the Chrismon name in 1957). At Christmas that he had had visited Mrs. Spencer to exchange Christmas gifts. While at her home he noticed some discarded gift wrap, and asked if he might take the paper to make ornaments for his church's Christmas tree, as his church was too poor to purchase ornaments. Mrs. Spencer was moved, and actually gave Mr. Pass her own Christmas tree ornaments. For some years afterward it was hard for Mrs. Spencer to buy ready-made ornaments for her tree. So each year she would make her own ornaments, using a variety of materials. She became a semi-professional ornament maker, and was asked by her own church, Ascension Lutheran, to decorate their tree. She didn't want to just use colored balls and other secular ornaments, so she began making decorations using the colors white, gold and silver that were symbols about Jesus Christ, and the meaning of Christmas. In 1957 she began the actual Chrismon ministry. The practice soon caught on with other Christians and many churches, and today the Chrismon Tree is a common sight all over the United States. I recently saw one at Alexian Village, and another one at Signalcrest UMC here in Signal Mountain. “Chrismon” is a combination of two words, “Christ,” and “monogram.” Monogram, of course, means initials, or symbols for a particular person. The Chrismon tree bears symbols or monograms about Jesus our Savior. For more information get Mrs. Spencer's book: Chrismons, the First 25 Years. It is available from Ascension Lutheran Church, 314 West Main St., Danville, VA 24541 for $6.95. (Many thanks to Steve Cooper of ALC for this information!)

II. The first Chrismon made was the “chi” “rho,” two letters of the Greek alphabet, the first two letters in “cristos,” as found in the Greek New Testament. "Christ" is Greek for the Old Testament Hebrew word, "Messiah." Messiah literally means "annointed One." God promised the Jews hundreds of years before Jesus was born that someday a Savior would come. For example in the book of Isaiah we read many prophecies of the coming Messiah. Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 53:3-6. In Psalm 22, David describes the crucifixion of Jesus 1000 years beforehand. The first prophecy was given to Adam and Eve, right after the fall, in Genesis 3:15. God promised to send Someone who would conquer Satan.

III. The five-pointed star is also on our Chrismon tree, and reminds us of the star that announced the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (see Matthew 2:1-11). The star was a sign visible in the sky from other nations besides Israel, and reminds us that Jesus was not only born King of the Jews, but is the Savior of the entire world. There is not one religion for this nation, and another for that, as some would have you believe. There is only one God, and he wants all mankind to worship His only Son, Jesus Christ.

IV. The triangle, which comes in many varieties, is a symbol of the Triune God, the Trinity. There is only one God, yet He exists as three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in the Great Commission to baptize converts "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. He was born a mere human baby in Bethlehem, yet is truly the almighty God at the same time (John 1:1-18).

V. The fish is a very interesting symbol of Jesus, seen on many a car bumper. The Greek word for fish is "icthus." The Greek letters are which are the first letters of Greek words: Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior. Some think that the fish symbol was used by early persecuted Christians as a secret sign to indicate their faith to other Christians, and to mark places where worship would take place. It is a reminder to us that Jesus died for our sins, and that many of our brothers and sisters around the world today are dying or being persecuted for their faith, and must even keep their faith secret. When we see the fish, let's pray for them.

VI. The globe surmounted by the cross. One of my favorite hymns is "Jesus Shall Reign." It goes like this: "Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does His successive journeys run; His kingdom spread from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more." (# 231 in "The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration) The Bible foretells the universal reign of Jesus (Revelation 11:15-17). At this present time God is extending His Kingdom through the preaching of the Gospel. Men are free to accept or reject the message. But this age will eventually come to an end, and Jesus shall reign in person and in power, and every knee shall bow to Him on earth, and beneath the earth, and above the earth, and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and every earthly government or kingdom shall acknowledge His authority and His law.

Conclusion: So, this tree at the front of the church is not a Christmas tree with shiny balls, and reindeer and Santa Clauses, but it is a Chrismon tree, and every ornament on the tree is a symbol, or a monogram of Jesus, and we place it here in His honor. May we all acknowledge Him as Savior and Lord, and may this Christmas season be Christ-centered, and not the commercial secular blast of the world!