A Chrismon tree is an evergreen decorated with Christian symbols that point to the identity and story of Jesus. The named tradition began in 1957 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia, where Frances Kipps Spencer and fellow congregants made ornaments for the church tree. Chrismon trees are now displayed by churches during Advent and Christmas, though congregations choose their own ornaments and interpretations.
What are Chrismons?
Chrismons are ornaments shaped as Christian symbols, commonly made in white and gold. The name is often explained as “Christ monograms.” Set on an evergreen, they turn a Christmas-season decoration into a visual expression of Christian belief. Examples include crosses, fish, crowns, stars, Alpha and Omega, and symbols of the Trinity. United Methodist Communications describes Chrismons as symbols that signify Christ.
The evergreen is commonly associated with eternal life, while the ornaments communicate ideas through particular images. A fish, for example, can represent Christian identity; a dove can represent the Holy Spirit; and Alpha and Omega can represent the beginning and the end. These are common explanations, not a universal rulebook: congregations may select different symbols or explain them in their own way. Redeemer Lutheran Church’s explanations illustrate how a congregation may assign meanings to its Chrismons.
How the Chrismon tree tradition began
The named Chrismon tree tradition has a traceable modern origin, rather than being an ancient Christian custom. In 1957, Frances Kipps Spencer volunteered to decorate the tree at Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia. Instead of conventional colored lights and balls, she and members of the congregation made Christian-symbol ornaments, often in white and gold. The Chrismons history account traces an influence on Spencer to Reverend George Pass, who made decorations from discarded wrappings and shared them with his congregation.
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Spencer studied monograms of Christ and connected “Chrismon” with the Latin word chrisma. The practice was intended to share Christian teaching through images: an account of Spencer’s history quotes her saying that symbols could transmit faith and beliefs from the artist or teacher to the viewer. A 2019 article in Living Lutheran likewise identifies Spencer and Ascension Lutheran Church as the tradition’s origin and describes Chrismon trees spreading among congregations.
The history account says Spencer later wrote four instructional books with help from her congregation, and that Rufty’s Garden Shop in Salisbury, North Carolina, became a supplier of Chrismon components in 1964. Those are historical details; they do not establish whether the books or components are currently available.
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What does a Chrismon tree mean?
A Chrismon tree presents Christian symbols together as a way of telling aspects of Christ’s identity and story during Advent and Christmas. Its meaning comes both from the evergreen and from the symbols chosen for it. But there is no established universal ornament set or required arrangement. For a particular tree, the congregation that made or displays it is the best guide to the meanings it intends.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to make or interpret Chrismons
To understand a church’s tree, start with its own explanations rather than assuming every ornament has one fixed meaning. If you want to make Chrismons, look for a pattern book or set of instructions that fits the style you want; useful points of comparison include the symbols covered, the skill level, the required materials, and whether the patterns match the ornaments you plan to make. Spencer’s historical instructional books are documented, but their current editions and availability are not established.
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