Christian Symbols for Chrismon Crafts

Samples of the Christian/Chrismon patterns found in the following collection.

This collection includes historic Christian symbols visitors may use for crafts. I will include explanations of the symbols.

• About Christian Symbolism
• Best Guide to Chrismons for Christmas
• "Worship Without Words" by Patricia S. Klein
• More Christian Symbols at Color The Bible 
• What Symbols Are Used for Both Christ and His People? 

All graphics/illustrations/clip art on this web journal are free to download and use for personal art projects, church related hard copy or webpages. Images are not to be redistributed in any other collections of clip art online. Please include a link back to this web journal if you use the materials for web articles. Link to http://christianclipartreview.blogspot.com

• Looking for Jesse tree ornament index?

Patterns for Christmas Trees or Specifically Chrismon Trees: I have included both ancient and contemporary patterns here now. Print out the explanations and scriptures for teaching and sharing with your church members this coming Christmas/Advent season.

1. Babe In The Manger Symbol
2. A 16th Century Pomegranate Design for Chrismons
3. Three Sun Symbols for a Chrismon Christmas Tree
4. A Simple Fleur De Lys
5. The Magen David Symbol
6. A Tudor Wild Rose Design
7. A Tudor Rose Medallion including stem and leaves 
8. Three Rings Represent The Trinity
9. Grape Patterns for Chrismon Trees
10. The Passion Cross or the Calvary Cross
11. The Peacock Symbol
12. The Greek Cross Chrismon Pattern
13. Sheaves of Wheat for a Chrismon Tree 
14. The Cross of Glory Chrismon
15. The Escallop Sea Shell 
16. Trinity Emblems With The Name of God in Hebrew
17. Olive Branch Chrismon Pattern 
18. Cross of Constantine Pattern - two versions
19. Italian Lamb of God for Chrismons
20. The Phoenix Rising as A Christian Symbol 
21. The Divine Hand of Christ Chrismon 
22. The Fish Symbol or ICHTHYS
23. The Eagle With Her Eaglets Chrismon Symbol...
24. "IHS" Plus a Crown Pattern for Chrismons
25. Lion and Palm Leaves Chrismon
26. The Lion Symbol
27. Saint Andrew's Cross Chrismon Pattern
28. Seraphim in The Throne Room...
29. The Gospel Cross Chrismon 
30. The Descending Dove or Divine Dove Symbol
31. The Thistle Symbol
32. A Cross Confirmation Banner by Kathy Grimm
33. An Epiphany Star Pattern for a Chrismon Tree
34. Davidic Harp Chrismon Patterns 
35. Ancient Laurel Crown Symbolism
36. The Virgin Holding Baby Jesus Chrismon
37. The Latin Cross Pattern
38. The Crown Symbol for a Chrismon Christmas Tree
39. Sword Symbols in Chrismons
40. Planet Earth Symbol
41. Ancient Woven Cross Pattern 
42. The Creator's Hand Symbol
43. Trinity ring symbols from the catacombs... 
44. The Anchor/Cross Symbol 
45. Combined Triangle, Trinitarian, Dove Symbol
46. Dove With Olive Branch Symbol 
47. An Inhabited Cross Chrismon
48. Embroider a Red Rose to Represent Christ's Passion
49. The Open Bible Chrismon 
50. The Savior's Anchor Symbol 
51. Chalice Pattern No. 1 for Chrismons
52. Luther's Rose From 1530 
53. Lamp Symbolism for Chrismons
54. Two Sacred Heart Symbols
55. The Crown of Martyrdom
56. The Trinity Fish Symbols
57. Two Pelican Chrismon Symbols 
58. The Heart Symbol for Chrismons
59. The Creator of Souls Chrismon 
60. Cherubim Chrismon Pattern
61. A Shamrock Chrismon Symbol 
62. Bell Symbolism for Chrismon Ornaments 
63. Three Crown of Thorns Chrismon Patterns 
64. Early Trinity Symbols in Chrismons
65. The Divine Three In One 
66. The Seven Candles Symbol 
67. Crosses from The Christian Celts  
68. Three gold patterned papers for Chrismon crafting 
69. The Eagle is The Gospel of St. John's Symbol 
70. The Ox is The Gospel of St. Luke's Symbol
71. The Man With Wings is The Gospel of St. Matthew's Symbol
72. The Lion is The Gospel of St. Mark's Symbol
73. A Simple Swiss Bell Pattern  
74. Three additional fleur-de-lys patterns for Chrismons...
75. The Ark Symbol
76. Stone Tablets from Genesis
77. The Keys To The Kingdom Symbol

A Chrismon tree is a Christmas tree decorated with explicitly Christian symbols in white and gold. First introduced by American Lutherans in 1957, the practice rapidly spread to other Christian denominations, including Anglicans, Catholics, Methodists, and the Reformed.

• Visit the Lutheran Church of the Ascension's website

       The Word "Chrismon" (plural "Chrismons") was adopted for a type of Christmas decoration and explained as a portmanteau of "CHRISt-MONOgram" (a Christogram) first by Frances Kipps Spencer for her congregation's Christmas tree.

      Originally, the women who developed Chrismon ornaments intended for their designs and ideas to also be given away and not mass marketed for profit. In fact, they developed their Chrismon tree display as a kind of personal protest against the commercialism of Christmas. But as all good Christmas ideas eventually become marketable product in America, so went the ways of supply and demand for the ornaments.
       Frances Kipp Spencer's original versions are primarily made from beaded patterns and interested crafters can order her original patterns along with supplies at Rufty's Chrismon Shop here.

       Fortunately for us, there are many free patterns still available on the web for those of you who may be feeling a bit poor and deflated by all the commercial speculation and doublespeak surrounding the Spencer Chrismons. Your Christmas can still be about Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Man. Just click on the links above in my listing to find both free patterns and creative ideas about decorating your very own Chrismon tree this Christmas.

More Free Patterns for Crafting Chrismon Ornaments:

• Simple patterns on PDFs at www.whychristmas.com
• Chrismon patterns at www.ezartsncrafts.com
• Ancient Christian Symbols for Chrismons from umcs.org (The United Methodist Church)
• Rudolf Koch Christian Symbols

Sample Chrismon craft projects from my family Christmas blog. I've linked to these below.

Christmas Ornament Crafts for Chrismon Trees at my Christmas blog: Most of my versions are made from paper mache, fabric, clay and wire.

1. Craft Easy Nativity Star Ornaments
2. Make a Vintage 1950s Popsicle Stick Angel
3. Craft an Ornament of The Baby Jesus in His Manger
4. A Triquetra Knot Chrismon, Cut from A Sherensnitte
5. A Manger Scherenscnitte Pattern by Kathy Grimm
6. Craft a Communion Cup for The Chrismon Tree
7. Craft Tear Drop Shaped Chrismons with Shells
8. Craft An Anchored Chrismon Cross
9. Craft a Papier Mâché Chrismon Candle
10. Craft a Dove Chrismon, Symbolic of The Holy Spirit
11. Craft the Three Nails and a Fish Chrismon
12. Craft baby Jesus in a walnut shell 
13. Handmade Pearl Ornament
14. Craft a beaded cross
15. A Sheave of Wheat Chrismon
16. The Open Bible Chrismon 
17. DIY the Prophet Jonah and Whale 

More Videos About Chrismons:

• Chrismon Tree Video by Bishop Andy Doyle
• Light and Life - a service of Christmons
• How to video for Chrismon bell
• How to video for an angel
• How to make a pearl flower - these would look nice on a Chrismon tree

More Posts About Chrismons:

• Brenda talks about Chrismons  
• Scarlet's Baker's Clay Chrismons 
• Christa's Witnessing with Chrismons 
• Descriptions and samples of The Apostle's Shields