This one who God sent to redeem us was called in the Hebrew tongue, the Messiah: In Greek he was called the Christ. Thus the church used the first two Greek letters in the word Christos for the Chi Rho, a monogram for the Savior who would bring in the rule of God. This Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Likewise, early Christians took the first three letters in our Lord’s given name, Jesus, to form the monogram of IHS or IHC.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
More Chrismons
Faithful, over hundreds of years, the Hebrews awaited the day of God’s salvation. Never did they entirely lose hope. Their symbol of faith was the Creator’s Star (also know as the Star of David) that symbolized one God who acts in the world in creation and the six days of creation. It also represents the heritage God chose for Jesus to be a part of.
Again and again, the Hebrew prophets foretold the joyful time of the Lord’s deliverance.
The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. Isaiah 31:1
Hence the symbol of the Christmas Rose. But what kind of events would herald God’s act of redemption? Would there be great disturbances upon the earth? Would a heaven-sent King vanquish the armies of powers and principalities?
No, in one story there was only a star seen by some wise ones, foreigners at that. In another story the announcement comes to some humble shepherds, and a newborn babe in the manger of a Bethlehem stable.
God works in surprising ways to bring us to the warmth and joy of forgiving love.
Again and again, the Hebrew prophets foretold the joyful time of the Lord’s deliverance.
The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. Isaiah 31:1
Hence the symbol of the Christmas Rose. But what kind of events would herald God’s act of redemption? Would there be great disturbances upon the earth? Would a heaven-sent King vanquish the armies of powers and principalities?
No, in one story there was only a star seen by some wise ones, foreigners at that. In another story the announcement comes to some humble shepherds, and a newborn babe in the manger of a Bethlehem stable.
God works in surprising ways to bring us to the warmth and joy of forgiving love.
Symbols of the Christian jouney - Chrismons
The tree itself, green throughout the year, is a symbol of eternal life. The lights speak to us of the Light of the World, the Christ who came at Christmas.
Our first Chrismon is the Orb – a symbol of the earth. It also represents all of us who are earth-dwellers. Circled in gold, the Orb promises a glorious day for tired, old earth and its burdened people – the day when God shall come and dwell among us, and humankind shall live as God intends.
Our first Chrismon is the Orb – a symbol of the earth. It also represents all of us who are earth-dwellers. Circled in gold, the Orb promises a glorious day for tired, old earth and its burdened people – the day when God shall come and dwell among us, and humankind shall live as God intends.
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