Pastoral Page (Sunday 28th November 2010)

Dear Friends

Every year, at the beginning of Advent, Annette faithfully puts up our beautiful Christmas tree, adorned with Chrismons lovingly made for us by the ladies of our congregation. If we think that Chrismons are nothing more than pretty Christmas decorations, we are missing out on so much. A Chrismon is one of number of Christian symbols intended to represent aspects of the person, life or ministry of Jesus Christ and the life, ministry or history of the Christian Church through a single image, emblem or monogram. The term "chrismon" comes from the Latin phrase "Christi Monogramma", meaning "monogram of Christ". Chrismons can be found in all sizes, any sort of construction, and are mostly used to adorn Christmas Trees during Advent and Christmas, but are also used to adorn everything from liturgical robes to grave stones. Ours are made from gold and white beads, to speak of the purity and majesty of the one who is, in Himself, the ‘Pearl of Great Price’.
On this first Sunday of Advent, as we light the Hope Candle on our advent wreath (thanks Mike!), I would like to highlight the Chrismon that is a Latin cross. This specific version of the cross stands on a base of three steps, which symbolise those three things which the bible tells us are the things which will remain: FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.

If you haven’t done so before, take some time out after the service to have a good look at the tree, and to ponder the meaning of these symbols of eternity.

In Christ’s service
Debbie