Modesty

Colonel Nicholas Smith, in‚"Grant, the Man of Mystery," gives us the following side-light upon Grant's character:

      "During a strenuous campaign, the opposition resorted to every means to discredit him and made the most virulent attacks upon his personal character. Grant remained silent and took no part in the campaign. He retired to his little home in Galena, received his friends, drove and walked about the streets, took tea and chatted in the most familiar way with his neighbors, and seemed totally unconscious of the fact that he was the central figure in one of the great political struggles of the century."

Cross of Constantine Pattern - two versions

This pattern would look nice done in felt with pearl beads sewn around the edge.

        Two patterns of the Cross of Constantine for those of you who are crafting Chrismons this Christmas.

Cut this cross of Constantine from wood or Styrafoam before decorating it with glitter.

Left, a simple Cross of Constantine. Center, A coin of Constantine (c.AD 337)
 showing a depiction of his labarum spearing a serpent. Right, modern ecclesiastical labara.

      This cross was the design which the Emperor Constantine saw gleaming in the sky on the eve preceding his great victory over Maxentius. It was surrounded by the motto, "In hoe signo vinces." After gaining the battle, the Emperor professed Christianity, and adopted this Cross as his device on banner and shield. it is also found on his coins.

      The Cross of Constantine is formed of the first two letters of the Greek word Christos or Christ--the X (Chi) and P (Rho) united. It resembles a Monogram rather than a Cross, and was much used as such by the early Christians. It is adapted to Corpus Christi, and Ascension Day.

Scripture References for The Cross of Constantine Chrismon:

• "Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!" Luke 24:31 (NLT)
  
• "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:11 (NIV)
• "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God." Mark 16:19 (BSB)

More About The "X":

• Why the "X" Doesn't Take Jesus Out of Christmas!

Destruction of Death and Sin

"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:15

      When the cruel destroyer, Death, has at length completed his work of desolation, and subdued all animated nature under his power, he shall himself be overthrown, his crown torn from him, and his iron scepter broken in pieces, by the mightier power of the Savior.

      Then shall his beloved help-mate, the enchantress Sin, be despoiled of all her destroying arts and charms, and, joined in his fall, shall crown the final triumph of our blessed Redeemer.

O Praise The Name (Anástasis) Words and Music
 by Marty Sampson, Benjamin Hastings & Dean Ussher
 © 2015 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA)