Mangum - Crismons

	Symbols of Christmas
	The Fish - In its early years, Christianity was an illegal religion. Because of this, the "Sign of the Fish" became a universal symbol that secretly identified believers to one another. The Greek word for "fish" is IXOYS. These five letters were also the first letter (in Greek) of the words JESUS CHRIST, GOD’S SON SAVIOUR. By drawing the "Sign of the Fish", Christians revealed both their identity and the basis of their faith.
	The Star - This familiar symbol is best known at The Christmas season because of its appearance to the Wise Men at the birth of Christ. Matthew records: "And lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." (Matthew 2:9-10)
	The Descending Dove - The use of a descending dove to represent the Holy Spirit is based upon the account of Jesus’ baptism found in Luke 3:22: "and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘Thou art my beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased’."
	The Alpha and Omega - and which is to come, the Almighty". As the first and last of the Greek alphabet, the Alpha and Omega represent the One in whom creation began and by whom it will one day end. Its usage as an early Christian symbol is based upon Revelation 1:8: "’I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending’, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
	The Chi Rho - In the original Greek text, the word "Christ" was written XRISTOS. The letters CHI (X) and RHO (R or P) were combined into one of the earliest known Christian symbols. It has been found inscribed on the walls of Roman catacombs dating back to the 2nd century. In Hebrew, the word "Christ" is translated "Messiah", which means "the anointed one".
	The Lamp -The Psalmist David wrote: "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105) In ancient times, an oil lamp provided the most common means of illumination for those traveling after dark. Symbolically, the Bible, as God’s Word, provides mankind with the only reliable source of true Spiritual light.
	The Chi Rho - In the original Greek text, the word "Christ" was written XRISTOS. The letters CHI (X) and RHO (R or P) were combined into one of the earliest known Christian symbols. It has been found inscribed on the walls of Roman catacombs dating back to the 2nd century. In Hebrew, the word "Christ" is translated "Messiah", which means "the anointed one".
	The Cross -The cross is undoubtedly the most well-known of all Christian symbols. Because of Christ’s death upon a cross, this cruel instrument of execution has become, to the believer, a beautiful statement of faith and hope. Even as the Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 6:14: "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ".
	The Anchor - As a symbol of hope, the anchor is one of the most ancient of all Christian symbols. It usage is based upon the Apostle Paul’s words in Hebrews 6:19: "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast". The anchor is one of the oldest inscriptions to be found in the catacombs, dating back to the second century. During times of persecution, the anchor took the shape of a cross to those who knew its hidden meaning.
	The Star and Cross - The origin of the six-pointed Star of David is not clear but it has been representative of the Jewish people for centuries. With the cross of Christ at its center, the Star and Cross symbolizes the statement of Jesus recorded in Revelation 22:15: "I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star".
	The Lamb - This symbolic "Lamb of God" is often known by its Latin name Angus Dei. John 1:29 records that upon seeing Jesus coming toward him, John the Baptist exclaimed: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world". The lamb, pure and faultless, was used as the preferred sacrifice in the Old Testament. Only Jesus, however, could ever truly be the "perfect sacrifice" for the sins of mankind.
	The Butterfly -The butterfly has long been a symbol of life after death. The remarkable transformation that takes place during the metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly beautifully illustrates the promise found in I Corinthians 15:52: "The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."