{"id":16958,"date":"2017-12-22T09:47:03","date_gmt":"2017-12-22T13:47:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=16958"},"modified":"2019-12-08T19:57:16","modified_gmt":"2019-12-08T23:57:16","slug":"pumcs-biggest-christmas-mysteries-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=16958","title":{"rendered":"PUMC’s Biggest Christmas Mysteries Explained!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christmas. A time of traditions, music, and symbols.\u00a0 Around PUMC, we have developed a series of our own traditions that have lasted years and years.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

But as you look at some of the things around the church during these days leading into Christmas, many of us are compelled to ask questions like “What is That?” or “Why does That happen???”\u00a0 or “What does That mean???”\u00a0 A lot of times, the answer falls into the ubiquitous snare of “<\/span><\/em>Because we’ve always done it that way.<\/span><\/span>”\u00a0 We do it this way this year because that’s how we did it last year.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

But, maybe there’s a reason why it was done that way the first time.\u00a0 Christmas (and every season on the Christian calendar) is loaded with symbols.\u00a0 The symbols can inspire you and connect you to Christ.\u00a0 But they turn into meaningless decorations unless you understand the meaning behind them.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

And so, this article will attempt to explain three of the “great mysteries” of our celebration of the Advent Season.\u00a0 Here they are:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. What’s that Christmas tree on the right hand side of the chancel?<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. What’s a “White Gift”?
    \n<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. And…<\/span><\/em> Why does the Christmas Cantata always start at 4:15 PM???<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    1:\u00a0 What is that Christmas Tree on the Chancel?<\/span><\/h3>\n

    On the right hand side of the chancel, next to where the pastor sits, there’s a Christmas Tree with some plain decorations on it.\u00a0 No Santa Claus, not a bunch of shepherds or nativity scenes.\u00a0 And most of the decorations are white.\u00a0 Not much \"\"glitter, and no lights.<\/p>\n

    If you look close you’ll see things like Greek Letters, strange looking crosses, and even water dripping from shells.<\/p>\n

    The tree is called a Chrismon Tree.\u00a0 Chrismon means “Chris<\/strong>itian Mon<\/strong>ograms.”\u00a0 This tree is loaded with symbols of Christ which have been used for over 2000 years.\u00a0 They symbolize different aspects of our faith and remind us of Christ in many different ways.<\/p>\n

    Here are some of the items that adorn our Chrismon Tree:
    \n(click the arrows to open each drop down box…<\/span><\/em>)<\/p>\n

    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    Identity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

    Some of the Chrismons speak to the identity and character of God.\u00a0 Here are examples of this type of Chrismons that are on our tree:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \n

    \u00a0ChiRho<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The “X” (Chi) and “P” (Rho) are the first two letters in the word Christos ( or “Christ”)\u00a0 which is Greek for “Messiah”- the Anointed One.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    \u00a0Alpha and Omega<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    These are the first and last\u00a0 letters of the Greek alphabet.\u00a0 They tell us that Christ was at the beginning of the world, and He’ll be with us forever.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0IHS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    If you spelled out “Jesus” in Greek, these would be the first three letters of His Name.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    \u00a0Circled Triangle<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The triangle represents the “Three in One” Godhead (the Trinity of Father, Spirit, and Son).\u00a0 The circle reminds us that the Trinity is eternal.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    \u00a0Triangle<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Much like the above, this Chrismon reminds us of the Trinity.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n
    Trefoil<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
    This is a conventionalized form of a clover with three lobes. Once again, this Chrismon reminds us of the Trinity.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    \u00a0Lamb<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    This reminds us that Jesus is the Lamb of God, \n“slain before the foundation of the world.”\u00a0 The lamb is carrying a banner; He is victorious over the cross.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    \u00a0Dove<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Holy Spirit is often pictured as a dove.\u00a0 This Chrismon reminds us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that the Holy Spirit is our constant companion.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>
    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    Life of Christ<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

    Other Chrismons depict events in the life of Christ…\u00a0 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \n

    Manger<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The manger (a feeding trough) is where Jesus was placed after He was born.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Grapes<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Grapes symbolize the sacrament of Holy Communion.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Crown of Thorns\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The crown of thorns (with nails) reminds us of the price Jesus paid to redeem us from sin.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Cross and Crown\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Just as Jesus is the King of Kings, this symbolizes the rewarding life for Christians after the death of the Body.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>
    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    God and People<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

    Other Chrismons remind us of salvation, baptism, and other “means of grace” that bring us closer to Christ and bridge the gap between God and humanity…<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \n

    Shell with Water Drops<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    As the manger represents Jesus’ entry into human life, our Baptism marks our entry into eternal life.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Lyre (Harp)\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Lyre represents David and his musical abilities.\u00a0 It also reminds us that we may constantly rejoice in the Lord.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Anchor\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Anchor Cross was used by early Christians as a symbol of their faith.\u00a0 The letters Alpha and Omega represent the eternity of Christ.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Beaded Cross<\/span>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Some Chrismons are made out of beads, others of satin.\u00a0 This Jerusalem Cross (all sides of equal length) is a symbol of the unity of all Christians.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Fish\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The fish has been a popular symbol for our Lord since the early church.\u00a0 It also reminds us that we are to be “Fishers of Men.”<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    2: What’s a White Gift?<\/span><\/h3>\n

    On the third Sunday in advent, one of our young couples puts on the Mary and Joseph costumes, places their newborn into a wooden manger, and sits in front of the church before the service while Sunday School kids bring boxes of coins to lay before them on the altar.\u00a0 The kids are led into the sanctuary by youth dressed as \"\"Shepherds.\u00a0 We call it White Gift Sunday.<\/p>\n

    OK.\u00a0 The “Gift” part of that is pretty clear.\u00a0 It’s kind of the Christmas version of the UNICEF boxes where you save your coins and then donate them to a worthy ministry that helps poor and needy people.<\/p>\n

    But why WHITE???\u00a0 The following was recently written to explain this year’s White Gift Sunday:<\/p>\n

    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    Historically, credit for the White Gift Sunday is given to the wife of a Methodist minister in 1904 in Ohio.\u00a0 She knew the legend of the Chinese people who loved their king so much that they each brought him a gift on his birthday.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

    The gifts were all wrapped in WHITE PAPER in order to emphasize the love of the people and the intent of the gift, not the size or value of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The minister’s wife and daughters asked their congregation to bring a gift wrapped in white for their King, Jesus.\u00a0 These were often packages of food, the kind of thing that even the poorest in the congregation could bring.\u00a0 They were Christmas love gifts to the people in need of their community.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

    White gift is a Pitman tradition that includes the entire church family.\u00a0 It is an opportunity for children and adults in Sunday School and the congregation to give a Christmas gift to Jesus.\u00a0 This year (2017) our White Gift celebration was held on Sunday December 17, during the 9:30 Service.\u00a0 The gifts were donated to the Love\u00a0Thy\u00a0Neighbor<\/span><\/a> fund, which targets help to people in the local community.<\/p>\n\n\t\t