Chrismon Service - 2nd Sunday of Advent at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church on December 7th, 2025

12 Dec 7 2025 Advent 1 No Communion ELW-Chrismon.pdf

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Advent Greetings Members and Friends of Faith, 

Please join us at Faith Lutheran Church Fort Valley Virginia at 10 AM this Sunday for our very special Chrismon service as we celebrate our second Sunday of Advent anticipation. All are welcome.

The Chrismon Service originated at Advent Lutheran Church in Danville, VA, and has now spread internationally. It is a way to draw closer to our faith by reflecting on the symbols of the church as they are added as ornaments to our Christmas tree. We hope you will join us.

We will broadcast the service over Zoom, so those who cannot be there in person can participate.

Copies of the bulletin, announcements and Chrismon Service are attached.

Here is the Zoom information:

Faith Lutheran is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Faith Lutheran is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Sunday Worship

Time: Dec 7, 2025 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85659361095?pwd=QMNINTCSoLpGyPmlFfoRqCiIdptLeb.1

Meeting ID: 856 5936 1095

Passcode: 667496

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,85659361095#,,,,*667496# US (Chicago)

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Announcements

**Welcome back Pastor Karen!

**Minutes of the congregational meeting from last Sunday are

posted on the bulletin board.

**The Worship and Music committee will meet today following

the worship service.

**Zoom Bible study with Pastor Robin is Tuesday, Dec 9 @7pm. A

link will be sent to you via email.

**Carols around the Campfire has been canceled.

**Ladies Aid Cookie Tin sale is Saturday, Dec 13 from 3-5pm with

the Faithful Tooters marching in the Christmas parade at 4 pm!

Please label your cookie donations and let Stephanie Ayers know

their location. Funds will be donated to the FV Pay It Forward

fund.

**Faith Lutheran will be ringing bells for the Salvation Army on

Dec 19 at the Woodstock Walmart. Donations go to the

Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter. More members are needed to

sign up, please prayerfully consider giving an hour of your time.

**Thank you to Adam Walters for setting up our Christmas tree

and putting the Advent wreath in front of the church and thank

you to all those who helped with the decorations!

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CHRISMON SERVICE

PRESENTATION OF THE NATIVITY SYMBOLS (At appropriate times in the service persons

with Chrismons will be asked to come forward to the tree and place their Chrismons on the

tree. The Chrismons are numbered on the back and in the bulletin.)

1 - The Epiphany Star

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold,

wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born King of

the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him. "Matt 2:1-2 I

am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star. Rev. 22:16b

The Epiphany Star has five points and refers to the appearance and the revelation of Jesus as

the Son of God. Peter speaks of the morning star rising in our hearts.

With heart and soul we rejoice, for the Epiphany Star reminds us of God's morning star

rising over our lives.

2 - The Christmas Rose

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the

rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Isaiah 35:l-2a

This verse has been interpreted by some to be the Messianic Promise, and therefore the

rose has come to represent Jesus, our Messiah. So the prophet proclaims the exultation of

the redeemed.

With heart and soul we rejoice, for the Christmas Rose reminds us of God's love

blossoming in our soul.

3 - The Manger

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.

This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be

enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of

Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the

house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her

first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there

was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7

With heart and soul we rejoice, for the manger reminds us of the humility with which

God's son is born into our hearts.

4 - The Angel

And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by

night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around

them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I

bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this

day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you

will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was

with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in

the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!" Luke 2:8-14

With heart and soul we rejoice, for the angel reminds us of heaven's joyous song over our

coming salvation.

PRESENTATION OF THE PASSION SYMBOLS

It is right that we rejoice, that we honor him, that we sing his praise, for the glory of God is

about him. Yet the love of God is greater than all the celestial splendor of the heavenly host.

In that love, he gave up his life in innocent suffering. Like a lamb he was led to the slaughter,

yet the powers of death could not contain that love. The powers of sin could not break that

love. Now we know our Redeemer lives and has become the first fruits of them that sleep.

5 - The Chalice

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the

disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body. "And he took a cup, and when he had given

thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the new

covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. "Matthew 26:26-28

With this offering we seek to honor him who took the cup of our suffering and drank of

our sorrow, proclaiming the love of God.

The Crosses

6 - The Latin Cross

Then Pilate handed him over to be crucified. So they took Jesus and he went out, bearing

his own cross, to the place called in Hebrew, "Golgotha. " There they crucified him and with

him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. John 19:16-18

This Cross with its longer upright than crossbar is the probable form on which Jesus was

crucified; therefore, the foremost symbol of Christianity.

7 - The Jerusalem Cross

The risen Christ said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your

hand, and place it in my side: do not be faithless, but believing. John 20:27

This Cross is in the form of a Greek Cross with a smaller cross on each corner. The larger

cross symbolizes the wounds in Christ's side and the smaller crosses, the wounds in his

hands and feet

8 - The Tau Cross with Serpent

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14-15 This symbol is a parallel

between Christ's resurrection and an Old Testament story. When the Israelites were in the

wilderness, many suffered death by being bitten by poisonous snakes. They begged Moses

for relief, and God instructed Moses to make a serpent of brass and hang it on a pole.

Anyone who was bitten by a snake was to look at the brass snake. When he did, he would

live.

With this offering we seek to honor him who humbly laid down his power. In obedience

he took up the cross to conquer sin and death. We who were dead have seen and

believed.

9 - The Sacrificial Lamb

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised

for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes

we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own

way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was

afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a

sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. Isaiah 53:4-7

The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of

God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29

With this offering we seek to honor him, for God has heard our cry and has answered our

plea. God gave his son to die for us. 0 Lamb of God, grant us your peace.

10 - The Butterfly

Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and

the other Mary went to see the sepulchre. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an

angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon

it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the

guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be

afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen as

he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has

risen from the dead. "Matt 28:1-7

Just as the caterpillar spins a cocoon and lies encased in a seemingly dead shell only to

emerge in a changed form as a beautiful butterfly, so Jesus was entombed, but rose from

the dead.

With this offering we seek to honor him who burst forth triumphantly from the tomb. The

same power that raised Jesus from the dead raises us out of our defeats and failures. His

victory is our victory. Like the beautiful butterfly, we emerge into the light of God's love.

11 - The Dove and Shell

And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the

heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on

him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well

pleased. "Matt 3:16-17

The risen Christ instructed his disciples, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching

them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, to the close

of the age." Matt 28:19-20 Just as Jesus was baptized at the beginning of his ministry, so the

risen Christ instructed his disciples to go and baptize others. The Shell with three drops of

water falling from it symbolizes baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

With this offering we seek to honor him who baptizes us with the gift of salvation. With

songs rejoicing we announce his coming. All glory, laud, and honor to you, our redeemer,

king.

Presentation of the Symbols of Victory

In his victory over sin and death, Christ becomes our Redeemer and Savior. He, who could

have conquered all in glory and power, chose instead to give himself in love. This is the joy

which is to all people; that love was born at Christmas, love incarnate, love divine. May that

love be yours, and may that love be mine. These last gifts we bring point to the VICTORIOUS

CHRIST, who raises us up to be one with God.

12 - The ChiRho

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ,

the Son of the living God. "Matthew 16:15-16

Chi and Rho are the first two letters of the Greek word "CHRISTOS," that is Christ. This is one

of the most ancient of Christian symbols. The word "Chrismon," when first used, specifically

referred to the Chi-Rho of Christ's monogram.

13 - Alpha and Omega

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Rev.

22:13

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and as such they

symbolize Christ as the beginning and the end of all things.

14 - The Fish

And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. "Matthew 4:19

The first letters of the Greek words for "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior" form the Greek word

for fish, "ICTHUS."

15 - The Shepherd's Staff

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. "John 10:11

The Crook or Staff is the shepherd's tool for guiding his sheep, and therefore, symbolic of

Christ, the Good Shepherd.

16 - The Cross and Orb

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the

world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he

loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

The Orb or Sphere symbolizes the world and with a cross, the triumph of Christ over it.

17 - The Iota-Chi

Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every

name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under

the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11.

This Greek monogram consists of the first letters of the Greek words for "Jesus Christ."

18 - The Crown

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,

"The kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he

shall reign forever and ever." Revelation 11:15

The Crown symbolizes sovereignty and shows that Christ is the Ruler over all Creation.

19 - The Lamb with the Victory Banner

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every

nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the

Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud

voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb.'" And all

the angels stood round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and

they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing and

glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever

and ever. Amen." Revelation 7:9-12

20 - The Circle with IHS

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their

sins. "Matt. 1:21

The Circle has been considered the perfect shape and symbolizes eternity, completeness,

perfection. The lota-Eta-Sigma monogram consists of the first three letters of the Greek

word for "Jesus."

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Blessing and honor, wisdom and thanksgiving, glory and power, be unto him that sitteth

upon the throne, and unto the lamb, forever and ever. Amen and amen.

CHRISMON PRAYER (in unison)

Let us pray. Almighty God, whose glory and majesty glow through the symbols of Christ,

may these Chrismons ever remind us of your love entering our lives. May these gifts we

have hung upon the tree become the gifts of your comfort and joy we share with others.

So may we sing of redemption's happy dawn, for Jesus Christ is born in Bethlehem,

through the heaven-born Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen. (The service continues with the offering).