"Worship Without Words" by Patricia S. Klein

      I picked up this little manual, "Worship Without Words" by Patricia S. Klein from a library resale table. It is a little book that explains the visual elements of traditional Christian liturgy. In fact, I found it's contents describing Christian symbolic language to be quite helpful to me while developing the Chrismon ornaments for this website. I recommend this little book for those of you who are either in training for membership in an Orthodox church or for teachers who like to keep similar information at hand. 

      The description of the book's contents on the back cover is a bit misleading. I suspect that this was written apart from the author's knowledge or input. There are many quotes in the book that enhance it's readability, however, these are not what most Christian publishers call "devotional reading." Devotional reading is a very specific genre of writing that is not intended by Klein. The volume does not include any scriptural references nor contemplative observations about it's readers connections with God on a daily basis. 

      The book is primarily an introduction to a highly complex subject. It does not cover the vast history of symbol in Christianity, it simplifies and describes the presentation of it during congregational services. Klein describes how symbols are the byproduct of inspiration and how these can lead one to remember and contemplate, but she does not evoke the literal contemplation itself. Klein is a teacher, not a preacher. This does not mean she is less effective, this simply means she has a specific purpose and her writing teaches that which she has been led to inform others about. You do not need to dress an author in alternative robes in order to justify the value of what they impart, if they teach what is valuable. Klein is a very readable author, her flow is excellent and she explains content clearly. She is an educational author.

      Although much of what Klein writes about in the book can be found on the internet, the organization of the information plus the readability of it, makes the resource valuable to teachers and students. If you need to write a course outline for presenting symbolic content, that specifically addresses liturgy in Christian churches, the book is worthy of purchase.  If I were teaching religion in high school, I would acquire the book for the classroom library and file it under the subject of vocabulary and/or symbolism. ( It's reading level is fifth grade but it's content is for k-12th grade.)

      The book is also informative and entertaining enough for a new adult members of Orthodox churches to read and keep for future reference. I specifically say it is for new members because the content of the book is very likely taught to the young throughout their lives by parents and clergy on a daily basis. (And in some cases, taken for granted as is all visual imagery that one is familiar with.)
      A pocket sized version of the book would be a nice to include with a new members packet. I do not think that this has ever been printed; perhaps it could be suggested to the publisher at Paraclete Press. My edition is from 2000.

      

* The content is adaptable for any old Orthodox church that uses ancient symbols in their liturgy: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Anglican. It is not "out of bounds" to use it in newer Christian denominations: Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians etc., if they still use the imagery to communicate ideas, theology and history through their culture or services. Christian symbolism is a form of visual language. Visual text or image is as meaningful as those beliefs associated with it by the people who practice it.

Craft a Christmas Soldier Wearing a Bearskin Hat

      This sleepy eyed soldier can't wait to slumber. He has hung on my Christmas tree for over twenty years now, watching and waiting for Santa. My soldier is dressed from the top of his hat to the toes of his boots in formal regimental attire. He sports a tall, bearskin hat decorated with an ornamental red feather and a glittering golden star. 

      He was not difficult to make. I simply cut out a large "U" shaped pattern extending the length of a toilet paper roll for his bearskin. Measure the diameter of the cardboard tube's opening and add 1/2 an inch to it so that you may have plenty of room to glue down the front of his bearskin to the back, along the outside edge of his paper hat. I used the paper from a heavy, recycled grocery bag to craft the soldier's hat. You can trim the outside edge of the hat later after fitting it and gluing it to one end of your paper tube. This measurement will vary given the size of the cardboard tube that you have chosen to work with. 

A bearskin is a tall fur cap, usually worn as part of a
 ceremonial military uniform. Traditionally, the bearskin
 was the headgear of grenadiers, and it is still worn by grenadier
 and guards regiments in various armies. This Drum Major is
in the United States Marine Band called, "The President's
Own. He also holds a ceremonial mace in preparation for
reporting to the parade commander at Marine Barracks in D. C.

      Next you should stuff the hat and tube, that are glued together, from the bottom opening with soft cotton or polyester batting. This will support the inner shape of the bearskin hat so that it will not collapse over time. Then paste a cardboard circular disk at the bottom of your ornament to seal shut the opening of the ornament. You can measure this cardboard piece by holding the tube on top of a sheet of heavy cardboard and drawing around the tube's diameter with a number two pencil. Cut the circular shape out and hold it up to the end of the tube to ensure that it will close the end of the tube neatly.  Squeeze out a tiny bit of glue around the edge of the cardboard circle and press the stuffed ornament on top of this last piece to finish off your soldier's form. Let the glued form dry over night before painting it.
      I painted my sleepy eyed Christmas soldier with acrylic paints. But first, I drew a few simple lines on top of the stuffed cardboard shape on order to guide me while applying the paint. You might like to study similar uniforms in photos and video before drawing out your own design. Don't over complicate your ornament. Give him a face, coat, arms and pants. My little guy is in the sitting position, this is why the bottom side of his boots are painted on the front side of the tube. It is not easy to stand at attention on the boughs of an evergreen. He is one of the older Drum Majors and is allowed to sit near the bottom branches of the tree. Age has it's privileges!
      After painting my soldier I gave him a generous coat of acrylic varnish. This will help preserve your work and give the homemade ornament some extra polish.

  

Changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, summer 2010. Gotta love marching bands.

More ornaments from my collection representing St. Paul's Cathedral 
and a Royal Guard wearing a bearskin hat.

Craft a Yarn Wrapped Star

I finally found a use for some of my Grandmother's old, mismatched buttons! I think these look charming on the yarn wrapped stars above. I can't wait to decorate with handmade ornaments, such as these, for Christmas this year!

      Here is a yarn wrapped star perfect for any folksy Christmas tree. It is constructed from ordinary, household materials that you can find in the drawers, recycling bins and craft boxes of almost anyone's home. You will need to collect the following items to make a star similar to the one I have completed above: masking tape, an old jar lid, a pair of old brass buttons, yarn (any color), newsprint and tacky white glue.

      The first part of this Christmas craft involves the wrapping or 'masking' of a star shape from a recycled jar lid and the crushing of newsprint. Cover the jar lid entirely with masking tape. This will enable the sticky white glue to adhere to the surface of your recycled star. Then crush the newsprint into a long thin tubular-like shape. Take your masking tape and wrap it around the crushed paper shape to form the points of the star along the edge of the jar lid; just as I have shown below. Then twist and wind the yarn in small areas using generous amounts of tacky white glue. Include a brass button glued to the center of both the front and back of the star to add a little sparkle to your homemade ornament.

Just Left, is what your star shape will look like before you begin to wrap it with yarn. One the right is star ornament with it's points wrapped first. I used a variegated yarn and several additional embroidery flosses to wrap my recycled yarn ornament.

More Yarn Wrapped Ornaments:

• A yarn wrapped star by livelaughrowe
• I just love these yarn wrapped shapes from "Getting Fresh with Oreck
• Why not wrap your name in yarn for the Christmas holidays? by Full of Boys
• Here is a sweet little frame you can hang from a tree by kraft farm.

Craft a Delicate Paper Fan Ornament

Above are light weight, paper fans that you can decorate a Christmas tree with. All you need are a few ordinary kitchen supplies and a few odd trims from your sewing basket.

      You will need a bit of patience to create these delicate little fans, but they are not difficult to assemble. As you may have guessed, these ornaments can be made to compliment any Christmas theme that you like. Their appearance is dependent entirely upon the designs and colors of the cupcake liners and trim that you use. I decided to use very simple selections for my fan ornaments: gold and pale pink and silver paired with pale blue. These conservative choices will blend nicely with a collection that I am crafting for my younger child. 

      She has decided to trim a Christmas tree of her own with Rococo inspired ornaments. Many of the pieces that I will make for her theme will be "over-the-top" so it is important to balance the elaborate collection with only a few colors. She has settled upon pastel colors paired with silver and gold. Some collectors refer to trees with a Rococo theme as, "Marie Antoinette trees". These trees are intended to reflect French court preferences in design during the the 18th-century. Marie Antoinette lived from 1755 to 1793; a time prior to the era when Rococo fashions and designs were most popular. But as most art movements take a bit of time to saturate all parts of culture, it is not surprising to associate the beginnings of a movement in one particular place early on and then identify the movement as a whole for a larger audience much later. 

      The Victorians loved Rococo design/fashions also and many of you will associate ornaments from your own Victorian collections with those ornaments that I am designing for Hannah's new Christmas collection. What is the difference between the two references, Victorian and Rococo, when it comes to design trends? The answer is: not much. The Victorian era is associated with Great Britain, and the Rococo with France. Both movements took place at the same time and were separated only by a mere ocean and two very different kinds of queens. Queen Victoria was quite romantic and Marie Antoinette was quite silly.

Here are few examples of "Marie Antoinette" or Rococo inspired Christmas trees:

• A Marie Antoinette Tiara Christmas Tree
• Treasured Heirlooms - Marie Antoinette Christmas Decor Living Room
• A Marie Christmas - The perfect tree
• Oh Christmas Tree! from Stacy's Shabby Shoppe
• Some nice Rococo inspired Christmas ornaments here
• A Marie Antoinette Christmas
• Marie Antoinette Macaroon Tree

Toothpicks are glued together at their tips between two
cardboard circles to create a fan form.

Supply List:

1. Small amount of cardboard
2. Toothpicks
3. White glue
4. Paper Cupcake Liners 
5. A small variety of trims
6. Scissors
   

      The first process in the crafting of the fans should be completed the night before so that the wooden toothpicks will have ample time to dry before decorating the fans with paper and trim. First cut out two very small circles approximately 1/2 an inch in diameter for each fan that you intend to craft. Then place one of these tiny cardboard pieces on top of a washable surface like newsprint or wax paper so that the glue will be easy to clean up after the fan forms have dried. Add a generous dot of glue to one cardboard circle and arrange your toothpicks in a fan-like spray on top of it. Then add a small amount of glue to the second circle and lightly balance this on top of the tips of the toothpicks to give the fan form a clean finished appearance on both sides of the ornament.

      The following day, you will need to gather up the rest of your art supplies and prepare them for assembling the paper fan ornaments. Cut out the bottom parts of the cupcake liners you intend to use and then cut each liner open so that you are left with a long accordion, folded strip of paper. Then wrap the paper around the toothpicks neatly, while applying dabs of glue to each wooden toothpick. Add also some trim to your fan to give it a decorative finished appearance. I glued a thin, metallic cord between my cupcake liners in order to hang the fans from a Christmas tree.

Links to additional paper fan ornament crafts:

• Flower Fan Fairy Ornament
• Cricut Magazine Challenge: Paper Fan
• A Lattice Paper Quill Fan
• A Rainbow Colored Quill Fan
• Red Packet, Fan Tutorial 
• Lacy Victorian Fans on a Custom White Chenille tree 
• Photos of Victorian Ornaments

Paper Fan Links Collected by Jytte Jenson

More Related Articles:

• Christmas Tree installation by Kaffe Fassett
• How to use a Victorian theme to decorate your Christmas tree
• Victorian Christmas Decorations

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

      Xmas is a common abbreviation of the word Christmas . It is sometimes pronounced /ˈɛksməs/, but it, and variants such as Xtemass, originated as handwriting abbreviations for the typical pronunciation /ˈkrɪsməs/. The "-mas" part is from the Latin-derived Old English word for Mass, while the "X" comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός which comes into English as "Christ".

      There is a common misconception that the word Xmas stems from a secular attempt to remove the religious tradition from Christmas by taking the "Christ" out of "Christmas", but its use dates back to the 16th century.

      "Xmas" is deprecated by some modern style guides, including those at the New York Times, The Times, The Guardian, and the BBC. Millicent Fenwick, in the 1948 Vogue's Book of Etiquette states that "'Xmas' should never be used" in greeting cards. The Cambridge Guide to Australian English Usage states that the spelling should be considered informal and restricted to contexts where concision is valued, such as headlines and greeting cards. The Christian Writer's Manual of Style, while acknowledging the ancient and respectful use of "Xmas" in the past, states that the spelling should never be used in formal writin.

      Early use of "Xmas" includes Bernard Ward's History of St. Edmund's college, Old Hall (originally published circa 1755). An earlier version, "X'temmas", dates to 1551. Around 1100 the term was written as "Xp̄es mæsse" in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. "Xmas" is found in a letter from George Woodward in 1753. Lord Byron used the term in 1811, as did Samuel Coleridge (1801) and Lewis Carroll (1864). In the United States, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. used the term in a letter dated 1923. Since at least the late 19th century, "Xmas" has been in use in various other English-language nations. Quotations with the word can be found in texts written in Canada, and the word has been used in Australia, and in the Caribbean. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage stated that modern use of the term is largely limited to advertisements, headlines and banners, where its conciseness is valued. The association with commerce "has done nothing for its reputation", according to the dictionary.

      In the United Kingdom, the former Church of England Bishop of Blackburn, Alan Chesters, recommended to his clergy that they avoid the spelling. In the United States, in 1977 New Hampshire Governor Meldrim Thomson sent out a press release saying that he wanted journalists to keep the "Christ" in Christmas, and not call it Xmas—which he asserted was a "pagan" spelling of Christmas.

The labarum, often
called the Chi-Rho,
 is a Christian symbol
representing Christ.
The symbol is often
included on Chrismon
trees by a wide variety
of Christian peoples
during the month
of December.

      The abbreviation of Christmas as "Xmas" is the source of disagreement among Christians who observe the holiday. Dennis Bratcher, writing for a website for Christians, states "there are always those who loudly decry the use of the abbreviation 'Xmas' as some kind of blasphemy against Christ and Christianity". Among them are evangelist Franklin Graham and CNN journalist Roland S. Martin. Graham stated in an interview:

"for us as Christians, this is one of the most holy of the holidays, the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. And for people to take Christ out of Christmas. They're happy to say merry Xmas. Let's just take Jesus out. And really, I think, a war against the name of Jesus Christ."

Martin likewise relates the use of "Xmas" to his growing concerns of increasing commercialization and secularization of one of Christianity's highest holy days. Bratcher posits that those who dislike abbreviating the word are unfamiliar with a long history of Christians using X in place of "Christ" for various purposes.

      The word "Christ" and its compounds, including "Christmas", have been abbreviated in English for at least the past 1,000 years, long before the modern "Xmas" was commonly used. "Christ" was often written as "Xρ" or "Xt"; there are references in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as far back as 1021. This X and P arose as the uppercase forms of the Greek letters χ (Ch) and ρ (R) used in ancient abbreviations for Χριστος (Greek for "Christ"), and are still widely seen in many Eastern Orthodox icons depicting Jesus Christ. The labarum, an amalgamation of the two Greek letters rendered as ☧, is a symbol often used to represent Christ in Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christian Churches.

      The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and the OED Supplement have cited usages of "X-" or "Xp-" for "Christ-" as early as 1485. The terms "Xtian" and less commonly "Xpian" have also been used for "Christian". The OED further cites usage of "Xtianity" for "Christianity" from 1634. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage, most of the evidence for these words comes from "educated Englishmen who knew their Greek".

      In ancient Christian art, χ and χρ are abbreviations for Christ's name. In many manuscripts of the New Testament and icons, Χ is an abbreviation for Χριστος, as is XC (the first and last letters in Greek, using the lunate sigma); compare IC for Jesus in Greek.

      Other proper names containing the name "Christ" besides those mentioned above are sometimes abbreviated similarly, either as "X" or "Xt", both of which have been used historically, e.g., "Xtopher" or "Xopher" for "Christopher", or "Xtina" or "Xina" for the name "Christina".

In the 17th and 18th centuries, "Xene" and "Exene" were common spellings for the given name Christine. The American singer Christina Aguilera has sometimes gone by the name "Xtina". Similarly, Exene Cervenka has been a noted American singer-songwriter since 1977.

      This usage of "X" to spell the syllable "kris" (rather than the sounds "ks") has extended to "xtal" for "crystal", and on florists' signs to "xant" for "chrysanthemum", even though these words are not etymologically related to "Christ": "crystal" comes from a Greek word meaning "ice" (and not even using the letter χ), and "chrysanthemum" comes from Greek words meaning "golden flower", while "Christ" comes from a Greek word meaning "anointed".

• Find more Christogram Clip Art
• Read about and craft with our Christian Symbols for Chrismon Crafts
• See the Chrismon Crafts In Our Collection Here