Bell

Bells have been used for centuries to call people to worship. They were mentioned as early as in the 6th century. Before clocks a church bell was rung to tell people it was time to attend a wedding, funeral or other services. Before mass communication it was the only way to gather a village together or warn the people of disasters . High church towers were built just so that the bells could be heard as far as possible.

Bells were even mentioned in the Old Testament Bible: “Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die.” (Exodus 28:35)

May the bells we hear remind us of God’s gift to us, the birth of Jesus.

*  *  *  *  *

Glocken werden seit Jahrhunderten verwendet um Menschen zum Gottesdienst zu rufen. Sie wurden bereits im 6. Jahrhundert erwähnt. Bevor es Uhren gab wurden Kirchenglocken geläutet um den Menschen mitzuteilen dass es Zeit war an einer Hochzeit, Beerdigung oder anderem Gottesdienst teilzunehmen. Vor Massenkommunikation war es der einzige Weg ein Dorf zu versammeln oder die Menschen vor Katastrophen zu warnen. Hohe Kirchtürme wurden gebaut so dass die Glocken so weit wie möglich gehört werden konnten.

Glocken wurden schon im Alten Testament der Bibel erwähnt: “Aaron muss es beim Dienst tragen; sein Ton soll zu hören sein, wenn er in das Heiligtum vor den Herrn hintritt und wenn er wieder herauskommt; sonst muss er sterben.” (Exodus 28:35)

Mögen uns die Glocken die wir hören an Gottes Geschenk an uns erinnern, die Geburt Jesu.

*  *  *  *  *

 And here is the PDF "Bell" 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 05/03/2015: 

 

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"Bell"

How to wrap for the gift-giving of the 3-D miniature ornaments

To wrap the 3-D ornaments to give to the children of the church is a bit more complicated. But again, you can involve fellow church members. Many people were very happy to help with this and it is always great fellowship.

First, print this PDF.

These two pages are your templates. Use the page with the two rectangles to line up your message. Print it on another piece, cut it out and glue it into/over the rectangles. I do cut it larger so I cover up the box lines, but do make sure to leave margins. I usually do this on a glass door or window so I can see the lines.

Use these templates to print on stiffer paper like 65 lbs card stock. Make sure when you print the second page on the back that it is the right way around. I always print as many as I need + 1 of the box shape side and then print only one first of the other. Cut ruffly and you know whether it is o.k. and you can print the rest.

Cut all around the solid lines of the box. Also cut the two slits (you might have to cut them a little longer. I lost my original file and can't change it.).

Use a ruler and a knitting needle or the back of a knife to score the dotted lines and fold. Put a little Elmer's glue on A and attach to other side. Fold the bottom parts in. I usually put some tape across the bottom just to be safe.

I hope you enjoy this part too.

PS: Don't forget the green tissue paper from the florist like for the flat ornaments!

How to wrap for the gift-giving of the flat miniature ornaments

Yeah!!! My first 16 ornaments from my book have all been posted. I don't have to print any more books now. There are more to come but I thought it is time to post how I prepare the miniature ornaments for gift-giving. You know how important this ministry is to me. If you have not already done so, please read this blog!

First the flat ones:

I seal a #10 envelope and print the explanation of what a Chrismon is on one side and the explanation of the symbol I am wrapping up on the other. It depends on the printer. Sometimes I can print on the envelope straight from the computer, sometimes I have to print on letter paper and then copy on the envelopes.

Cut a little off the short side. Keep in mind though that you will turn the edge over so that nothing can fall out.

Punch a hole or two, however you like it and use pipe cleaners cut into short pieces or ribbon to close it. Do not glue or tape because the envelope should be used to store the ornament every year. This way the explanation does not get lost.

Important: Before you put the ornament into the envelope, wrap it in a piece of the green tissue paper you can get from the florist. It is acid free and keeps the wire from tarnishing.

When you take the ornament out to decorate, leave the tissue paper in the envelope!

Anchor

The anchor is a very early Christian symbol that has been found in the catacombs. About seventy examples of it have been found in the cemetery of Priscilla alone. In the oldest of these (second century) the anchor is found associated with such expressions as pax tecum, pax tibi, in pace, thus expressing the firm hope of the authors of these inscriptions that their friends have been admitted to Heaven. Because of its great importance in navigation, the anchor was regarded in ancient times as a symbol of safety. The Christians, therefore, in adopting the anchor as a symbol of hope in future existence, merely gave a new and higher significance to a familiar emblem.

It also reminds us that many of Jesus’ apostles were fishermen and that we are commissioned to be fishers of people.

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."                                                               (Hebrews 6:19)

*  *  *  *  *

Der Anker ist ein sehr frühes christliches Symbol, dass in den Katakomben gefunden wurde. In den ältesten davon (zweites Jahrhundert) wurde der Anker mit solchen Ausdrücken wie tecum pax, pax tibi, in Tempo, gefunden und damit Ausdruck der festen Hoffnung der Autoren dieser Inschriften, dass ihre Freunde in den Himmel aufgenommen worden sind. Wegen seiner großen Bedeutung in der Navigation wurde der Anker in der Antike als Symbol der Sicherheit betrachtet.Bei der Uebernahme des  Ankers als Symbol der Hoffnung auf zukünftige Existenz, gaben die Christen lediglich eine neue, höhere Bedeutung für ein vertrautes Abzeichen.

Es erinnert uns auch daran, dass viele von Jesus Apostel Fischer waren und dass wir beauftragt sind Fischer von Menschen zu sein.

"Wir haben diese Hoffnung wie einen Anker für die Seele, fest und sicher." (Hebräer 6,19)

*  *  *  *  *

And here is the PDF "Anchor" 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 02/09/2016: 

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 Anchor"

Here is my finished lace for my Advent calendar: 

Wheat

A grain of wheat can tell us about life and the kingdom of God.

“Before any of the wheat-harvest, however, could be eaten, the first-fruits had to be presented before the Lord.” (Leviticus 23:14)

Jesus mentions it often in his parables: “Let both (wheat and weed) grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Matthew 13:30) ~ “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:24-25)

But most of all, bread made from wheat and wine made from grapes are symbols of God’s sacrificial and eternal love for us.

*  *  *  *  *

Weizen

Ein Weizenkorn kann uns über das Leben und das Reich Gottes erzählen.

"Aber von der Weizenernte dürft ihr nicht essen bis zu diesem Tag, bis ihr die Opfergabe für euren Gott dargebracht habt. " (Levitikus 23.14)

Jesus nennt es oft in seinen Gleichnissen: "Lasst beides (Weizen und Unkraut) zusammen wachsen bis zur Ernte, und zur Erntezeit werde ich den Schnittern sagen: Reisst zuerst das Unkraut aus und schnürt es zu Bündeln, um es zu verbrennen, den Weizen aber bringt ein in meine Scheune!" (Matthäus 13,30)

"Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch: Wenn das Weizenkorn nicht in die Erde fällt und stirbt, bleibt es allein; wenn es aber stirbt, bringt es viel Frucht. Wer sein Leben liebt, verliert es; und wer sein Leben in dieser Welt hasst, wird es bewahren ins ewige Leben." (Johannes 12:24-25)

Aber vor allem, Brot aus Weizen und Wein aus Trauben gemacht sind Symbole des Opfers und der ewigen Liebe Gottes für uns.

*  *  *  *  *

And here is the PDF "Wheat" for you to download. Please, note that I forgot to put a hanger on the above single wheat ear. In my eagerness it happened ones.

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.

*  *  *  *  * 

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 #97  
(I had to change Brigitte's design slightly for it to fit "my project" about which I will post soon)


 

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 “Wheat”

Grapes

Wheat from the fields is made into bread and grapes from the vineyard are made into wine, the symbols of Christ’s body broken and blood poured out for us on the cross. The wine recalls festivity and celebration, along with sacrifice. As we eat the bread and drink the wine at Holy Eucharist, we believe that the body and blood of Christ are really present.
Grapes are used in many passages in the Bible to teach us lessons.
"When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the stranger, the orphan and the widow." (Deuteronomy 24:21)
"Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers." (Luke 6:44)

* * * * *

Weizen von den Feldern wird zu Brot und Traubenaus dem Weinberg zu Wein gemacht, die Symbole des Leibes Christi gebrochen undBlut für uns am Kreuz vergossen. Der Wein erinnert an Fest und Feier, zusammenmit Aufopferung. Wenn wir beim Abendmahl das Brot essen und den Wein trinkenglauben wir, dass der Körper und das Blut Christi wirklich anwesend sind.

Die Trauben werden an vielen Stellen in der Bibel zuLektionen gebraucht.

“Wenndu deinen Weinberg abgelesen hast, so sollst du nicht nachlesen; es soll demFremdling, der Waise und der Witwe zufallen.” (Deuteronomium24:21)

“Dennjeder Baum wird an seiner eigenen Frucht erkannt. Man pflückt ja nicht Feigenvon den Dornen, auch liest man nicht Trauben von den Hecken.” (Lukas 6,44)
* * * * *
And here is the PDF "Grapes" 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 2016-01-23:

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 Grapes".

Here is my finished lace for my Advent calendar:

N

Posted with Blogsy

Bottony Cross

Because this variation of a Latin Cross has three ‘buds’ on the end of each arm of the cross, it is sometimes called the “Budded Cross.”  The cross always reminds us of Jesus’ great gift to us through his death and resurrection.  The three-leafed clover end caps of the Bottony Cross also remind us of the Trinity.  A connection can also be made with Aaron’s staff that budded (see Numbers 17) and was preserved in the Ark of the Covenant, showing that life can emerge from death and renewed life from difficult circumstances.  The buds might also remind us that we are like buds of a flower, growing in faith, but not yet in full bloom. 

Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”                                                            (John 10:10)

The gold beads on the left, right and bottom symbolize the nail marks on Jesus’ hands and feet,the gold circle in the middle God’s unending love.

*  *  *  *  *

Bottony Kreuz

Da diese Variante eines lateinischen Kreuzes drei "Knospen" am Ende eines jeden Arm des Kreuzes hat, ist es manchmal auch als "Knospen Kreuz" bekannt. Das Kreuz erinnert uns immer an das große Geschenk von Jesu an uns durch seinen Tod und seine Auferstehung. Die drei Glücksklee-Endkappen des Kreuzes erinnern uns auch an die Dreifaltigkeit. Eine Verbindung kann auch mit Aaron's Hirtenstab vorgenommen werden, der Knospen trieb (siehe: Nummern 17), der in der Bundeslade aufbewahrt wurde, und zeigt dass Leben von Tod und neues Leben aus schwierigen Verhältnissen entstehen kann. Die Knospen können auch daran erinnern, dass wir wie Knospen einer Blume sind, wachsen im Glauben, aber noch nicht in voller Blüte.

Jesus sagte: "Ich bin gekommen, dass sie das Leben haben und es in Fülle haben." (Johannes 10,10)

Die Goldperlen links, rechts und unten symbolisieren die Nagelmarkierungen auf den Händen und Füßen von Jesu, der goldene Kreis in der Mitte die unendliche Liebe Gottes. 

*  *  *  *  *

 And here is the PDF "Bottony Cross" 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.

*  *  *  *  *