Yearly Tradition

Working on the Christmons to give away ... to all the children in the church ... and also for my own personal gift-giving. This year I made 80 of the shell. The shell is especially significant to us this year since it is also the sign of the "Camino". This spring my dear husband James made the pilgrimage from St Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostella walking 500+ miles. He wrote a Blog every day if you are interested. It was an incredible experience for him.



And in July our first grandson William was baptized, also a very meaningful event for us. 

Some lovely ladies in the church strung 56 for me - a big time saving for me.

First Sunday afternoon in December we had a workshop at the church. The Chrismons needed to be wrapped in the acid free green tissue paper. And then we each made a big Chrismon for the church tree. This is the best way to learn if they would like to make the smaller for their gift-giving at home.

When we were done we marched into church and hung the new additions. It's a good feeling for all.

The 2nd Sunday of Advent was "Chrismon Sunday". We had mailed the cards (explained here) about 10 days earlier and had blank ones ready for those who forgot (which is usually more then half ha-ha).
This is how we do it so it is fun but the service stays dignified: Our Rector explains the Chrismon symbol to the children during the children's sermon (I would have liked to take a picture but was't sure I should). Then he says a prayer over the Chrismons and asks The Lord that "...bless we pray these Chrismons and grant that those who look upon them may have their hearts drawn to things which can only be seen by the eye of faith through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN"

Just before the end of the service I slipped out, stood at the exit and gave each child his/her Christian ornament. Since we moved here in 2008 this was the 6th ornament. The children seem to love it.

Posted with Blogsy

Dove of Peace

The dove with the olive branch is seen as a symbol for peace today as it was for the early Christians. We can see it depicted in the Roman and other catacombs. The olive branch was even used as a symbol of peace as early as the 5th century BC.
“He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.” 

(Genesis 8:11)

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Friedenstaube

Die Taube mit dem Ölzweig wird als Symbol für den Frieden heute gesehen, wie es für die frühen Christen war. Wir sehen es dargestellt in den römischen und anderen Katakomben. Der Olivenzweig wurde sogar schon im 5. Jahrhundert v. Chr. als ein Symbol des Friedens verwendet.
"Da kam die Taube zur Abendzeit zu ihm und zwar mit einem frischen Ölblatt im Schnabel. Da erkannte Noah, daß sich die Gewässer von der Erde verlaufen hatten. " (1. Mose 8:11)

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And here is the PDF "Dove of Peace (flat)" and "Dove of Peace (3-D)" for you to download. I would be interested to know which one you prefer.

Since there is also a 3-D version which is difficult to photograph, here is a video. In my opinion: the 3-D version is easier to make then the flat one.

Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol.

I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.

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Another one in the:

Chrismons in Lace Series.

This is a design by Brigitte Bellon and can be found in the Heartland Lace Guild newsletter Pillow Talk #94

A membership form can be found here.

update 02/07/2015:
Brigitte Bellon is incredible generous and allowed me to share her pattern here with you for your own personal use PDF “Dove of Peace”

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Technical glitch

I have to apologize. Since you took the trouble to find this Chrismon site I mean for you to easily download the patterns. The LORD gave me my talent, I need to share. But I had done the uploading wrong. I hope I fixed that now.

Please let me know if I could do something better. I welcome your suggestion how I could improve a pattern or make it easier to understand the directions.

Hope you will enjoy making one or all.
Blessings,
Christa

Oil Lamp

The Old Testament has many references to the oil lamp and its light. “And you shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive-oil for the light, that a lamp may be set to burn continually”. (Exodus 27:20, Leviticus 24:2)
“A man’s soul is the lamp of God, which searches the chambers of one’s innards.” (Proverbs 20:27)
Fire was often described as being destructive, light was given a positive spiritual meaning. Oil lamps were a very important household item at Jesus’ time and he too uses it in his teachings like in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25). He says “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

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Das Alte Testament hat viele Verweise auf die Öllampe und ihrem Licht. "Und du sollst dem Volke Israel befehlen, daß sie dir reines, gestossenes Olivenöl bringen für das Licht, damit man ständig eine Lampe aufstellen kann.  (Exodus 27:20, Levitikus 24:2) "der Lebensgeist ist die Lampe des HERRN; mit ihr durchleuchtet er das Menschenherz und seine Gedanken." (Sprüche 20,27)

Feuer wurde oft als zerstörend beschrieben, Licht hat eine positive spirituelle Bedeutung bekommen. Öllampen waren ein sehr wichtiger Haushaltsartikel zur Zeit Jesu und auch er benutzt es in seiner Lehre, wie in dem Gleichnis von den zehn Jungfrauen (Matthäus 25). Er sagt: "Ich bin das Licht für die Welt. Wer mir folgt, tappt nicht mehr im Dunkeln, sondern hat das Licht und mit ihm das Leben" (Johannes 8,12). "Laßt euer Licht leuchten vor den Leuten, damit sie eure guten Werke sehen und euren Vater im Himmel preisen". (Matthäus 5,16)

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And here is the PDF "Oil Lamp" for you to download.

Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol.
I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.

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updated 05/06/2015: 

 

I am also a lacemaker and am working on what I have dreamed about for quite some time:

the Chrismons in Lace Series.

This is a design by Brigitte Bellon. She is incredible generous and allowed me to share her pattern here with you for your own personal use PDF"Oil Lamp"

Lamb

Agnus Dei is Latin meaning “Lamb of God”. The lamb is often a symbol of Christ, symbolizing purity, meekness and sacrifice, gentleness of character, patience under suffering.

Prophetic pictures and references to the coming Lamb of God are scattered throughout the Bible’s Old Testament.  Many times we read about the importance of sacrificing a lamb, an innocent lamb without blemish to atone for sins. The stories of Abraham (Genesis 22) and the Passover (Exodus 12-13) are important examples.

Christ became that innocent lamb to take away our sins.  Since Jesus’ crucifixion sacrificing a lamb is no longer needed.

“The next day John  (the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

“For Christ, our Paschal lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)

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Agnus Dei ist lateinisch und bedeutet "Lamm Gottes". Das Lamm ist oft ein Symbol für Christus, symbolisiert Reinheit, Demut und Opfer, Sanftmut des Charakters, Geduld im Leiden.

Prophetische Bilder und Verweise auf das kommende Lamm Gottes sind im ganzen Alten Testament der Bibel verstreut. Viele Male lesen wir über die Bedeutung der Opferung eines Lammes, ein unschuldiges Lamm ohne Makel für Sünden zu büßen. Die Geschichten von Abraham (Genesis 22) und dem Paschamahl (Exodus 12-13) sind wichtige Beispiele.

Christus wurde dass unschuldige Lamm, das unsere Sünden wegnahm. Seit der Kreuzigung Jesu ein Lamm zu opfern ist nicht mehr benötigt.

"Am nächsten Tag Johannes (der Täufer) sah Jesus auf sich zukommen und sagte:" Seht! Das Lamm Gottes, das hinweg nimmt die Sünde der Welt! " (Johannes 1:29)

"Denn Christus, unser Osterlamm, wurde geopfert." (1 Korinther 5:7)

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And here is the PDF "Lamb" for you to download.

Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol.
I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.

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This is an early version of my design with a flag instead of the cross ... and some other little details besides it being really tiny because I used much smaller beads.









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updated April 8, 2016:

I am also a lacemaker and am working on what I have dreamed about for quite some time: 

the Chrismons in Lace Series.

This is a design by Brigitte Bellon. She is incredible generous and allowed me to share her pattern here with you for your own personal use  PDF “Lamb “

Here is my finished lace for my Advent calendar:

Rooster

The rooster represents Peter's denial of Christ and also stands for his remorse and repentance upon hearing the rooster's crow the next morning which Jesus predicted correctly prior to being arrested by the soldiers.
Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:75)
In many cultures, the rooster's habit of crowing at the dawning of each new morning made it a symbol of the daily victory of light over darkness and the triumph of good over evil. This habit, along with its fiery comb, made the rooster the symbol of fire; the sun; and Christ, the light of the world, who announces an end to spiritual darkness and despair.

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Der Hahnstellt die Verleugnung des Petrus von Christus dar und steht auch für seineReue und Buße nach dem Hören des Hahnenschrei am nächsten Morgen was Jesus richtig vorhersagte bevor ervon den Soldaten festgenommen wurde.

Der Hahnkrähte zum zweiten Mal und Petrus erinnerte sich an das Wort, das Jesus zu ihmgesagt hatte: "Ehe der Hahn zweimal kräht, wirst du mich dreimalverleugnen." Und er ging hinaus und weinte bitterlich. (Matthäus 26:75)

Invielen Kulturen gilt der Hahn wegen seiner Gewohnheit am Anbruch eines jedenneuen Morgen zu krähen als ein Symbol des täglichen Sieg des Lichtes über dieFinsternis und den Triumph des Guten über das Böse. Diese Gewohnheit, zusammenmit seinem feurigen Kamm, machte den Hahn das Symbol des Feuers, der Sonne, undChristus, das Licht der Welt, und kündigt das Ende geistiger Finsternis undVerzweiflung an.

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And here is the PDF "Rooster" for you to download.
Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol.
I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.

* * * * *

I am also a lacemaker. So I am finally working on what I also had dreamed about for quite some time: the Chrismons in Lace Series.

This is a design by Brigitte Bellon and can be found in the
Heartland Lace Guild newsletter Pillow Talk #95
A membership form can be found here.

 

update 02/07/2015:
Brigitte Bellon is incredible generous and allowed me to share her pattern here with you for your own personal use PDF “Rooster”

*  *  *  *  *

Posted with Blogsy

Ship

The ship has been a symbol of the church since the first century. This is perhaps due to the recurrence of stories involving ships in the Bible like the Ark saving Noah’s family during the Flood (Genesis 6) or Jesus calming the storm and protecting Peter’s boat and the apostles on the Sea of Galilee.

“Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed.” (Mark 6:51)
“Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the Son of God!” (Matthew 14:33)
"And consider ships: though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs." (James 3:4)
Since the ship’s mast forms a cross, it was also a useful “secret” symbol to identify early Christians. We still call the main part of the church building a “nave” after the Latin word “navis” which means ship.

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Das Schiff ist ein Symbol für die Kirche seit dem ersten Jahrhundert. Dies ist vielleicht aufgrund des Wiederauftretens von Geschichten von Schiffen in der Bibel von der Erzählung Noah (Genesis 6) bis zu den verschiedenen neutestamentarischen Geschichten von Jesus; dem Meer von Galiläa; die Beruhigung des Sturms; usw.

"Dann stieg er in das Boot mit ihnen, und der Wind legte sich. Sie waren völlig überrascht." (Markus 6,51)

“Die Jünger im Boot warfen sich vor Jesus nieder und riefen: : "Wahrlich, Du bist der Sohn Gottes!" (Matthäus 14,33)

“Oder denkt an ein Schiff: Es ist groß und wird von starken Winden getrieben; trotzdem wird es mit einem winzigen Ruder gesteuert, wohin der Steuermann es haben will.“ (Jakobus 3:4)
Da der Schiffsmast ein Kreuz bilded war es auch ein nützliches "Geheimsymbol" um die frühen Christen zu identifizieren. Wir nennen auch heute noch den Hauptteil der Kirche ein "Kirchenschiff".
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And here is the PDF "Ship" for you to download.
Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol.
I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.
* * * * *

updated 11/07/2015:

I am also a lacemaker and am working on what I have dreamed about for quite some time:

the Chrismons in Lace Series.

This is a design by Brigitte Bellon. She is incredible generous and allowed me to share her pattern here with you for your own personal use PDF “ Ship “

Here is my finished lace for my Advent calendar:

Posted with Blogsy