Craft Tear Drop Shaped Chrismons with Shells

      Shells are often used in Christian churches to symbolize baptism. This is because in ancient times Christians were often baptized along side river banks, near oceans, lakes etc... Shells were readily picked up and filled with water to splash the person or persons who were being baptized. Both dunking and sprinkling were done depending on the age or fragility of the person being baptized at the time. There were no arguments concerning technique, only the point of understanding the act and the meaning behind it was considered important. Shells over the passing of time became so closely associated with the sacrament that they have been used in art and as Chrismons ever since. 

All you will need for this craft is a few shells with holes in them, glass beads and a fine strong wire. I twisted a long piece of wire through the hole in each shell and then strung a variety of gold and yellow beads, including some small glass fish, onto the wire hanger. These tear drop Chrismon ornaments make nice additions to your congregation's ornament collection not only because they add variety and texture to the mix but also because very little parish members can help put them together.

      The liturgy of baptism in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist traditions makes clear reference to baptism as not only a symbolic burial and resurrection, but an actual supernatural transformation, one that draws parallels to the experience of Noah and the passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea divided by Moses. Thus, baptism is literally and symbolically not only cleansing, but also dying and rising again with Christ. Catholics believe that baptism is necessary for the cleansing of the taint of original sin, and for that reason infant baptism is a common practice. The Eastern Churches (Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodoxy) also baptize infants on the basis of texts, such as Matthew 19:14, which are interpreted as supporting full Church membership for children. In these traditions, baptism is immediately followed by Chrismation and Communion at the next Divine Liturgy, regardless of age. Orthodox likewise believe that baptism removes what they call the ancestral sin of Adam. Anglicans believe that Baptism is also the entry into the Church and therefore allows them access to all rights and responsibilities as full members, including the privilege to receive Holy Communion. Most Methodists and Anglicans agree that it also cleanses the taint of what in the West is called original sin, in the East ancestral sin.

      Eastern Orthodox Christians usually insist on complete threefold immersion as both a symbol of death and rebirth into Christ, and as a washing away of sin. Latin Rite Catholics generally baptize by affusion (pouring); Eastern Catholics usually by submersion, or at least partial immersion. However, submersion is gaining in popularity within the Latin Catholic Church. In newer church sanctuaries, the baptismal font may be designed to expressly allow for baptism by immersion. Anglicans baptize by submersion, immersion, affusion or sprinkling.

      According to a tradition, evidence of which can be traced back to at latest about the year 200, sponsors or godparents are present at baptism and vow to uphold the Christian education and life of the baptized.

      Baptists argue that the Greek word βαπτίζω originally meant "to immerse". They interpret some Biblical passages concerning baptism as requiring submersion of the body in water. They also state that only submersion reflects the symbolic significance of being "buried" and "raised" with Christ. Baptist Churches baptize in the name of the Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. However, they do not believe that baptism is necessary for salvation; but rather that it is an act of Christian obedience.

      Some "Full Gospel" charismatic churches such as Oneness Pentecostals baptize only in the name of Jesus Christ, citing Peter's preaching baptism in the name of Jesus as their authority. They also point to several historical sources that maintain that the early church always baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until development of the Trinity Doctrine in the 2nd century.

More About Shell Art for Advent:

• Baptism representations in Chrismon ornaments
• Seashell Angel Ornament

Craft An Anchor Chrismon Cross

       An anchor is a device normally made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ancora, which itself comes from the Greek ἄγκυρα (ankura). The anchored cross is a symbol that stands for the Cross of Salvation that prevents the believer from being swept away into a sea or a current of worldly dangers and perilous demise. 
      The Anchored Cross, or Mariner's Cross, is a stylized cross in the shape of an anchor. It is a symbol which is shaped like a plus sign with anchor-like protrusions at the end of each arm, hence the name Anchored Cross. The symbol can be used to signify 'fresh start' or 'hope'.

 A step-by-step collection of photographs illustrating the process of crafting a papier 

mâché anchored Chrismon cross. 

       For this Chrismon ornament you will need to collect the following craft supplies: four skewers, a discarded, cardboard, masking tape roller, white glitter, white paint, gold netting, a few shells, fine wire, masking tape,  ribbon for a hanger, CelluClay.

       On the far left above, is the basic stick-like structure that I wrapped and twisted newsprint around in order to construct my anchored cross. Cover the entire surface of your anchor shape with masking tape before mixing and applying the CelluClay. You will need to leave your Chrismon in the sun to dry hard. Cover one side first, let it harden, then cover the opposite side. This will take several days. 

      If you'd like a smoother surface, you can then rub a wood filler on top of your small sculpture, let it dry hard and then sand. I chose to keep my anchor rough and worn. I then added a bit of white glue and transparent glitter to my Mariner's Cross. 

      I wrapped a gold netting with gold wire around the center of the anchor and also caught up a few shells in the netting for added interest, before twisting a white and gold wired ribbon around the top for hanging.

• Read more about the Anchor Chrismon

Craft a Papier Mâché Chrismon Candle

      The flame of the Paschal candle symbolizes risen Christ as light of the world and his presence in the midst of his people. The Paschal candle is sometimes referred to as the "Easter candle" or the "Christ candle." The term "Paschal" comes from the word Pesach, which in Hebrew means Passover, and relates to the Paschal mystery of salvation. The tall white candle in many ways signifies the Divine pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that lead the Israelites in their Exodus from slavery in Egypt.

      Chrismon candles vary widely in appearance but the meaning attached to these symbols is exactly the same as those attached to Paschal candles. During Christmas services, candles are often lit as the scripture from John 8:12 is read aloud:

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

 

      Above, you can see the paper mache candle form a crafted both before and after the final finishes were applied. The candle itself was made from a hollow cardboard tube that was attached to a paper mache candle holder. I then added a simple flame shape to the top of the tube and a bit of air-dry clay to imitate wax and a flame. After covering the candle holder with glue and gold metallic paper, I glued a clothes pin to the bottom of the Chrismon ornament so that it could be easily clamped onto tree branches. The candle itself was painted with glossy gold nail polish to give it a waxy appearance and the flame was painted with acrylic yellows, orange and white paints. For this Chrismon ornament craft you will need the following supplies:

•  A light weight cardboard tube
• masking tape
• white glue
• gold nail polish
• white paper and gold foil paper
• aluminum foil
• orange and yellow acrylic paints
• scissors
• a cloths pin

In order to shape the fancy candle holder, I pressed tin foil into an old
 tart mold and then covered the entire surface with masking tape.
This last step is important because most any material can be glued
successfully to masking tape. After all of these processes where done,
I glued the cardboard candle inside the candle holder.

"Go Light Your World" by Kathy Troccoli

Craft a Dove Chrismon, Symbolic of The Holy Spirit

Above is a side view of a White Chrismon Dove. This particular dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit. If I were to include a olive branch in it's mouth it would symbolize a peace dove. Both dove types are frequently found on Chrismon trees during the holiday season.

      In Christian Iconography, a dove also symbolizes the Holy Spirit, in reference to Matthew 3:16 

¹⁶ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

and Luke 3:22 

²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

where the Holy Spirit is compared to a dove at the Baptism of Jesus. 

      The early Christians in Rome incorporated into their funerary art the image of a dove carrying an olive branch, often accompanied by the word "Peace". It seems that they derived this image from the simile in the Gospels, combining it with the symbol of the olive branch, which had been used to represent peace by the Greeks and Romans. 

      The dove and olive branch also appeared in Christian images of Noah's ark. The fourth century Vulgate translated the Hebrew alay zayit (leaf of olive) in Genesis 8:11 as ramum olivae (branch of olive). By the fifth century, Augustine of Hippo wrote in On Christian Doctrine that, "perpetual peace is indicated by the olive branch (oleae ramusculo) which the dove brought with it when it returned to the ark."

      Just right are detailed photos of my masked, dove ornament taking shape. I used thin sheets of newsprint from an old telephone book to shape and masking tape to shape this little Chrismon dove. Notice at the top, I also taped into the tail, toothpicks for strength. 

      Afterwards I glued onto this little dove, a series of layered cupcake liners to form the wings, tail and body of my Chrismon. Then I shaped a simple beak from air-dry clay and glued it onto the dove. And, last, I added sequins and beads to form it's eyes. Listed below are the supplies that you will need to collect for this Chrismon ornament craft.

• masking tape
• newsprint
• white glue
• sequins and beads for eyes
• air-dry clay for the dove's beak
• toothpicks
• white cupcakes liners

      Just above, is a photo of the cupcake liners that I used for this Chrismon craft. I saved them from a package of cookies that I had consumed the night before. If you recycle the clean packaging that so much of our food stuffs are packed in, art projects such as these will cost you very little to make. All total, this project probably cost me less than a penny to craft, believe it or not.

My Holy Spirit, paper mache dove, pictured from the top and also straight on.
Note how the tissue cupcake liners are layered and fringed to give the simple
paper mache figure a feather-like appearance.

Craft The Three Nails and A Fish Chrismon

The three nails and a fish Chrismon refers to the
scripture Galations 2:20. I've hung my sample
here on my thorn bush in back of the house for
the photograph. This symbol has been around for
a long time but, it isn't as common on Chrismon
trees today.

The fish, Ichthys, combined with three nails here is symbolic for Christians being crucified with Christ, Galations 2:20.

Paul Confronts Peter
…19"For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. 20"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21"I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." 

Supplies Needed:

• a nice selection of metallic beads
• fine wire
• skewers or toothpicks (I used large ones here)
• tin foil
• black paint
• white glue
• sequins
• scissors
• three tiny buttons
• chenille stems
• masking tape

Procedure: First you will need to clip off one end each of three skewers. Glue on top of each skewer a tiny button; it may not stick too well but this will not matter because you will then wrap the skewer and button with tin foil and a bit of glue. Set aside these homemade 'nails' to dry over night The following day wrap them together in the shape of a cross (below) with silver wire. 

      Now you will need to twist together a couple of chenille stems to form the fish. Wrap masking tape around the wire fish and then with additional wire wrap the nails and fish together as shown in the pictures below. 

      String the metallic beads and wrap these in and out of the fish shape only. Brush the nails with thinned black paint to make them look worn. Add a metallic thread for hanging.

The Fish in a Chrismon Symbol: Ichthys (also Ichthus or Ikhthus /ˈɪkθəs/), from the Koine Greek word for fish: ἰχθύς, (capitalized ΙΧΘΥΣ or ΙΧΘΥϹ) is a symbol consisting of two intersecting arcs, the ends of the right side extending beyond the meeting point so as to resemble the profile of a fish, used by early Christians as a secret Christian symbol and now known colloquially as the "sign of the fish" or the "Jesus fish."

      According to tradition, ancient Christians, during their persecution by the Roman Empire in the first few centuries after Christ, used the fish symbol to mark meeting places and tombs, or to distinguish friends from foes:

…when a Christian met a stranger in the road, the Christian sometimes drew one arc of the simple fish outline in the dirt. If the stranger drew the other arc, both believers knew they were in good company. Current bumper-sticker and business-card uses of the fish hark back to this practice. The symbol is still used today to show that the bearer is a practicing Christian.

—Christianity Today, Elesha Coffman, "Ask the Editors",

Above, I have pictured the two shapes, nail cross and fish apart and
then together to form the frame work for the Chrismon costruction.
Now I will only need to wrap beaded wire around the fish alone. You
do not need to know much of anything about beading to craft this
particular Chrismon.

      There are several other hypotheses as to why the fish was chosen. Some sources indicate that the earliest literary references came from the recommendation of Clement of Alexandria to his readers (Paedagogus, III, xi) to engrave their seals with the dove or fish. However, it can be inferred from Roman monumental sources such as the Cappella Greca and the Sacrament Chapels of the catacomb of St. Callistus that the fish symbol was known to Christians much earlier. Another probable explanation is that it is a reference to the scripture in which Jesus miraculously feeds 5,000 people with fish and bread (Matthew 14:15-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:12-17, and John 6:4-13). The ichthys may also relate to Jesus or his disciples as "fishers of men" (e.g., Mark 1:17). Tertullian, in his treatise On Baptism, makes a pun on the word, writing that "we, little fishes, after the example of our ΙΧΘΥΣ Jesus Christ, are born in water." Still another explanation could be the reference to the sign of Jonah. Just like he was in the belly of a big fish, so Christ was crucified, entombed for three days, and then rose from the dead.

Here you can see that I have glued and wrapped the end of a clipped skewer
with a button and foil in order to create my own nails. I have done this so
that my Chrismon will be lighter weight and less deadly should a little
person grab it from the Christmas tree in the church.

The Three Nails in a Chrismon Symbol: Triclavianism is the belief that three nails were used to crucify Jesus Christ. The exact number of Holy Nails has been a matter of theological debate for centuries.

      Though in the Middle Ages, the crucifixion of Christ typically depicted four nails, beginning in the thirteenth century, some Western art began to represent Christ on the cross with his feet placed one over the other and pierced with single nail. The poem Christus patiens attributed to St. Gregory Nazianzus and the writings of Nonnus and Socrates of Constantinople also speak of three nails.

      The three nails, as a symbol for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, are also used on the coats of arms of Drahovce, Slovakia, Saint Saviour, Jersey, St. Clement Parish, Ottawa and in the seal of the Society of Jesus.

      The plant Passiflora edulis (Passion fruit) was given the name by early European explorers because the flower's complex structure and pattern reminded them of symbols associated with the passion of Christ. It was said that the flower contained the lashes received by Christ, the crown of thorns, the column, the five wounds and the three nails.

George Strait sings, "Three Nails and a Cross."