How to Make a Chrismon
"Chrismon" combines the words "Christ" and "monogram" and refers to symbols relating to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Many Christians find the commercialism of Christmas and its apparent disconnection from the life of Christ troubling, and some even find it offensive. Frances Kipps Spencer created her original chrismons to bring that connection back to Christmas with decorations she created for her church. Use simple lines to create Bible-verse-inspired designs for your chrismons.
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Things You'll Need
- Bible
- Tracing paper
- Sketch paper
- Soft-lead pencil
- White and gold fabrics
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Clear plastic thread
- Cotton or polyester fiber-fill
- Hot glue gun
- Clear glue sticks
- Gold, silver or white trims
Instructions
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Select a verse from one of the four gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke or John -- that describes an event in Christ's birth, upbringing or ministry.
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Brainstorm possible symbols that would illustrate your chosen Bible verse. For example, you might opt for the symbol of a child wrapped in linen strips if you chose Luke 2:12 --- "And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Use other common chrismon symbols as well, such as Chi Rho, the first two Greek letters that spell Christ; the scallop shell with three water drops symbolizing Christ's baptism; the descending dove, commemorating the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus; and the butterfly, signifying Christ's death and resurrection.
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Create a simple outline sketch of your chosen chrismon. Use illustrations from old Bibles or look through collections of medieval-era Christian art for inspiration. You can also use coloring pages from Christian websites such as Leanne Guenther's Coloring, Jenny Wanderscheid's Coloring Book Fun or Audrey Smith's Resources for Christian Teachers, among others.
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Cut your sketch from the paper to make a template. Use the template to cut two identical pieces from your chosen white or gold cloth.
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Face the "right" sides of the cloth, together usually the shinier, smoother sides. Thread a needle with clear plastic thread. Baste the two pieces together along three-fourths of the outer edge, using a running stitch.
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Turn your chrismon inside out and stuff with cotton or polyester fiber-fill.
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Turn the open edges of your chrismon to the inside. Finish sewing it shut by stitching "in the ditch." This means poking your needle in the unfinished seam line and out to one side or the other, working back and forth at an angle until the gap is closed.
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Thread a tapestry needle with gold embroidery floss and create a loop for hanging your chrismon.
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Use a hot glue gun and clear glue sticks to attach bead strings and clear, white or gold trims to your chrismon, as desired.
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Tips & Warnings
Frances Kipps Spencer of Ascension Lutheran Church coined the word "chrismon" in 1957, while researching Christian symbols to decorate a tree in her church. She credited Lutheran pastor George Pass with inspiring her to honor Christ through her handmade chrismons. She based her original chrismon designs on symbols early Christians used to identify themselves to one another. Her designs use white --- the Lutheran liturgical color for Christmas --- symbolizing Christ's purity and perfection, and gold for his majesty and glory.
Marketing chrismons, supplies, patterns and instructions requires mindfulness of religious sensitivities, but can be done tastefully and respectfully. Create kits for each of your chrismon designs and hold classes to teach your customers the techniques used to assemble them. Keep a small supply of ready-made chrismons on hand, but focus your marketing on the kits, not the finished ornaments, out of respect for various religious traditions.
