The word Chrismon is made from two other words: Christ (chris) and monogram (mon). They were mostly symbols used by early Christians as a symbol of faith. In days when it was particularly dangerous to be a Christian, followers of Jesus used secret signs and symbols to communicate with other Christians. During the seasons of Advent and Christmas, a tradition has been to decorate an evergreen tree (itself a symbol of God’s constancy) with white lights and a variety of Chrismons. Over the years, this idea has expanded to other symbols related to the Trinity, the church, and a life of discipleship. The tree in our Sanctuary becomes something of a perfect Christmas—reflecting the true meaning and spirit of one of the most important events for Christians.