Symbolism: What is on your Christmas Tree?

It was a quiet evening at home. I sat by the fire while my black lab, Bailey, snored in the leather recliner. The chair is her favorite spot to sleep. Christmas music set the tone in the background. Memories of Christmases past brought vivid images to mind as I gazed at each ornament on the Christmas tree. My oldest son’s first ornament with his named cross stitched on a red wood stocking adorns the tree each year. A sparkly gold and clear carousel ornament for my daughter represents her senior year in high school when she was the Carousel Queen. A red bass guitar ornament for my youngest son dangles on a branch to remind me of his unexpected purchase last year. He walked in the door with the real instrument in his hands – something that was a surprise to all of us. He has never had any musical talent.

Each year, I carefully place the quilted bells, stars and stocking shaped ornaments on the tree that I made the first year I had my own tree. They are thirty something years old now and are very sentimental to me. There was simply no money to buy ornaments. As I hang these, I tell the story to my family and I’m reminded of the many blessings since that first year.

Do you get the drift? All of these ornaments represent something unique in a particular year. We have continued this tradition through the years and now I look forward to finding a special ornament for two grandchildren. Emma Grace will open her ornament with excitement from Grammy again this year and Little Benjamin will receive his first ornament for the tree. Even the dog at my house gets an ornament. But she doesn’t get to open it because it would never make it to the tree. Or at least if it did, we probably would not recognize it.

There are other ornaments on the tree that represent joy and pain. Ornaments from trips taken bring back fond memories. Others signify accomplishments of a particular year or hobbies of my family. There are lots of fish and deer on the tree and even some western ornaments on the tree from our “horse years in the 90’s.” An “angel of comfort” ornament hangs on the tree holding a small black dog. This ornament was given to my younger son the year after his father left. There is a paw print ornament representing that same dog who was hit by a car while I was out running one morning a few years ago.

But near the top of the tree hangs a Chrismon. It was given to me by my step-grandmother over twenty years ago. The ornament was hand-made by some church lady at the Lutheran church that my grandfather’s family attended for many generations. When my step-grandmother was preparing to go to heaven, she gave family members things that would have special meaning to them. She was right. The chrismon ornament is one of my favorites.

A chrismon is intended to represent aspects of the Person, life or ministry of Jesus Christ and the history of the Christian Church. It is usually a single image, emblem or monogram. The term "chrismon" comes from the Latin phrase "Christi Monogramma", meaning "monogram of Christ."

Perhaps most commonly, chrismons are used to adorn Christmas trees during Advent and Christmas, where they are made from various materials. They

                   Photography by Ann Wayne


can also be found as decorations in and outside of Christian church buildings and homes, and even found on gravestones and personal stationary. Many of these symbols have histories dating back to the earliest times of the Church. Even though there is only one chrismon on my Christmas tree, the Christian symbolism reminds me of the reason we have Christmas. It is in the shape of a Greek Cross. The Greek Cross has arms of equal length. This particular symbol has circles on the arms, representing eternity.

The celebration of Christ’s birth this season and the reminder of his death on the cross bring all of us hope. In the four gospels, we witness the life of Christ. In Matthew 1:21, the writer portrays the big picture of Christ’s life. “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” And in John 16:33, Jesus tells his disciples “these things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” We have a promise from God himself, through his Son, that we can overcome adversity, struggles, sin, and temptations if we simply believe in Him and trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us daily.

As you place your ornaments on the tree this year, I encourage you to hang at least one special ornament that represents the life of Christ. It will be a wonderful reminder for your family about the reason we celebrate Christmas.

May your family be blessed this holiday season!

Ann Wayne

Sunday, Nov. 15 - "I Love to Write Day"

Today, Nov. 15th, was "I Love to Write Day" across the nation. People of all ages were encouraged to write something: a poem, a short story, an essay, a letter to the editor, start a novel, or write a letter to a friend or family member. This marked the eighth "I Love To Write Day", a grassroots effort to have people of all ages practice their writing skills. Created by Delaware author, John Riddle, "I Love To Write Day is an opportunity for people of all ages to become stronger writers," he says. Many schools participate in this wonderful writing opportunity and teachers use creative ways to encourage their students to write. Check out the website at this link. www.ilovetowriteday.org

As I thought about this national day to celebrate writing, I was reminded of the many letters and emails that I have sent or received over the past nine years or so. I am currently working on a notebook compiled with such letters. It will be titled "Letters From the Heart." I thought you might enjoy reading some of the excerpts from a few of these. All of them have impacted my life in some way.

February 20, 2001
My Dear Son...Isaiah,

As I write this letter, my heart is looking toward heaven, thanking God for you. Since the day that you were born, I knew that God had a special plan for you. I'm so proud of you - making the President's List at CPCC is quite an honor...I also want you to know that I'm very pleased in your decision to date Denise. I have prayed for you for a long time - that God would send someone like her across your path. She seems to be an outstanding young woman in every way. Whether you marry her or not is up to God and you.
(They have been married now for 6 years.)

March 4, 2002
Ann,

Hello from Hong Kong! I miss the evenings of hanging out at your house and having a wonderful Ann-cooked meal followed by the best brownies from the box I ever had. You never realize the things that are important to you until you leave them behind.
(an email from my son-in-law, Darren, who was in college, studying a semester in Hong Kong)

May 12, 2002
Hola!

Hey everyone! I'm finally here in Nerja, and let me tell you that this place is absolutely gorgeous. One side is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, and the other side by beautiful mountains. I am staying with Sra. Carmen Martin who told me to call her mama...Hope all is well in the States!
Hasta Luego,
Heather
(my daughter was studying in Spain for a month the summer before her senior year in college)

November 22, 2004
Good morning family,

I just wanted to thank Ann again for hosting a wonderful Thanksgiving meal! It is truly a blessing to have grown up with this family and to continue to stay connected as our lives change and develop. Now, we can watch the next generation grow up with the same love all around them.
(my niece, Adriana, sent this email)

July 24, 2006
Hey Ann!

I hope you are well. I just wanted to share with you something very exciting that has happened in my life. I have recently been saved by the grace of God and it is so exciting. I could go on about the things He is doing in my life and the prayers that he has answered. It is so amazing the peace and happiness you know when you truly have the Holy Spirit living inside of you. I know you know what I am talking about....I am going to be baptized on August 11th.
(my niece, Alicia, sent me this email)

October 17, 2008
Ann,
What a great article! Thanks for sharing.

I'm sure you have heard from someone by now of my transformation, and I'm sorry that I haven't had a chance to tell you about it. I will soon. There were many things that helped me to finally have an intimate relationship with Christ, but Romans 12:2 was the ignition for me. "Stop being like the rest of your business colleagues! Challenge your mind, give yourself to the lord….renew your mind" is what I heard from God. I attempted to think that for the rest of the retreat and then things started to click. We had amazing discussions, did some amazing sacrificial things and I gave myself to God. I have given myself to him before, but more out of tradition, i.e., through Confirmation at Church, through altar calls, etc, but I have never given myself to Him because I WANTED TO, instead of because someone was pushing me to. it is a truly different feeling. I finally have some sort of understanding of what it means to know God…but I've just scratched the surface.

I know I haven't shown it, but you have been a true inspiration through Christ. It's hard to explain, but when someone does not know God, they think the people who do are a little questionable. I see that now. what's great is that I believe I can relate to people who question a personal relationship with Jesus. I questioned myself all the time. It comes at different times to different people in different ways. I pray now that everyone I know gets to experience what I am now experiencing.
(my niece's husband, Brian, sent this email, he is an attorney in Charlotte)

"Letters From the Heart"... you can see how they have touched the lives in my family. I hope that you will take the time to write a letter to someone in your life that has made a difference. Get out your pen and paper or your computer, and let your heart pour out what is waiting to touch the lives of those you love!

You will be richly blessed and may even make a difference in someone's else's life!

"My heart overflows with a good theme;
I address my verses to the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer."

Psalm 45:1

Blessings,
Ann

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Sometimes we take for granted looking in the mirror. We stare at our reflection daily as we prepare to go out and meet the world. Our attempt to improve our image seems to fade as time goes on. But if you stop and think about it, our image should improve over time.

Through life experiences we have had opportunity to sharpen our wisdom and discernment. Adversity and trials should have taught us how to persevere. But what is our image reflecting?

Seeing my new little grandson, Benjamin, (Hebrew origin meaning "son of the right hand") and his mom, Heather, in the reflection of the mirror reminds me of the responsibility I have as a grandmother. The example that I set could be reflected for as much as four generations to come.

In Deuteronomy Chapters 4 & 5 (NIV), Moses is introducing the laws that the Lord has given him to share with the Israelites. In Chapter 4, verse 9, Moses says “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Even in the Old Testament, we are given instruction about the responsibility as grandparents to help nurture and teach our grandchildren. We should have more wisdom and life experiences to share with them than even their parents have acquired.

After Moses shared the Ten Commandments with the Israelites, he reminded them again in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NIV) that “these commandments are to be upon your heart. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

I am reminded of my responsibility as a grandmother of a precious little girl, Emma Grace, who is three and a half years old and my new little grandson, Benjamin August, who is three months old. My influence in their lives will help pave the way for them. Taking the straight and narrow path will ultimately be their decision, but God will hold me accountable as a grandmother to help teach and nurture them.

Each time I look in the mirror, I am reminded that I'm not the only one who sees the reflection.

A Writer's Dream

The Blue Ridge Conference has become one of the highlights of my year in writing conferences. It is held each year at Ridgecrest, a Baptist based Christian conference center in Black Mountain, North Carolina. National authors, publishers, editors and agents are available to meet with writers and critique their work and instruct new writers in every genre possible. It is a writer’s dream conference in May each year.

Each morning and evening a keynote speaker shares their innermost thoughts and life experiences pertaining to writing. The information is like finding a gold nugget in a river of scattered thoughts and attempted manuscripts. The speakers are entertaining and well prepared. Classes are offered on every topic that would benefit writers from beginners to professionals. It is brain overload. But every piece of information is stored for later use.

I would like to share some of the main points from this year’s conference with those of you who write or dream about writing someday. Hearing these fine artists share their hidden treasures helped confirm some of my thoughts and goals for writing. Keynote speakers were Angela Hunt, Cecil Murphey, Steven James, Chip McGregor, Ron Benrey and Alton Gansky. Each one offered tidbits of advice from their own experiences.

Some Thoughts from Keynote Speakers about Writing

• We are the speakers, writers, and communicators for God’s word – we are the scribes.
• It takes energy and effort to be successful in writing; you must be consistent.
• If God is calling you to write, there will be satisfaction and peace and you will have a passion for it.
• Rejection is part of the business.
• When we become honest about our pain, we improve our stories.
• Who you are becomes what you write.
• Jesus used words to reconcile – there is healing in words.
• We live in a world that is unreconciled – God gives us messages of reconciliation
• Our words will go out and give hope to people we never meet.
• Seeds are planted through writing. Someone’s life could be changed.

Each morning and evening, our worship was beautiful. The music was sweet and Spirit-led. It set the tone for the day as we worshipped God through praise songs and hymns.

I also had the opportunity to meet John Riddle (in above picture beside of me) at the conference. He is the founder of the national “I Love to Write Day.” It is a day set aside to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to write something. “I Love to Write Day” is in its 8^th year and will be celebrated on Nov. 15. Go to http://www.ilovetowriteday.org/ to learn more about this celebration.

The final speaker was Alton Gansky, the director of the conference. He commissioned us to go out and plant seeds through our writing. If you really think about it, each word that is read is like a seed planted, only later to be harvested in ways and in places unknown to the writer. Sound familiar? In the book of Matthew, we are commissioned to go out and spread the gospel. As communicators, we can do this through the spoken and written word.

¹⁹ “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20.

This was the second year for me to attend the Blue Ridge Conference. It was truly an investment in my calling to write the words inspired by God. May you be blessed by these words from my heart.

Psalm 45:1

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

Blessed Be the Tie That Binds

It was the kind of day you dream about. The warmth of the sun was just enough to keep the slightly chilled breeze from sending us inside. Dogwood flowers had burst into bloom in the woods while birds were chirping choruses that spring was finally here.

The table was set for guests down by the pond. 

               Photography by Ann Wayne

My daughter brought tablecloths patterned with pastel flowers and appliqués to adorn the tabletops. A feast of meats and vegetables covered the large table near the front porch. A handmade crocheted tablecloth was the overlay on this table. It was either my grandmother’s or great-grandmother’s. We were celebrating Easter Sunday, Southern style. My daughter-in-law even made her delicious banana pudding.

Our gathering was small this year. Just my children and I, my daughter-in-law, son-in-law and little three year old Emma Grace, my granddaughter. The blessing was full of praise and thanksgiving. My heart was overjoyed to be in the midst of my descendants as the spiritual covering for the family.

After lunch, I sat there and pondered the years gone by. I was trying to remember how long it had been since we had enjoyed our Easter Sunday meal in the front yard. Couldn’t quite recall the year, but I knew it had been a while. You see; the timing has to be just right. No rain, mild temperatures and of course, the family and all the family Labradors.

When I saw Emma Grace frolic through the front yard, parading her blue and white checked dress, I realized that God’s promise of new beginnings is so true. And I felt my daughter’s unborn child kick for the first time. God is so good. He keeps his promises.

I was reminded of the scripture in Joel 2:25 (NIV)

²⁵ "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm
my great army that I sent among you.

The Lord was promising His people that He would restore the land and fill their vats to overflowing. Divine deliverance was promised. The Lord told them that they would be restored and never again be put to shame.

I recalled the years of healing for our family from a time of brokenness and pain from divorce. It all became so clear to me as I sat and listened to conversation and observed the camaraderie of the day. This Easter Sunday will always be a reminder of God’s grace and goodness; His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Just as Jesus died on the cross and rose again to save us from our sins and the heartaches of the world, we celebrated this Easter with an extra dose of praise and thanksgiving.

As my son-in-law left that afternoon, he humbly and gratefully said, “It was a perfect day. " The meal, the conversation, the weather, and of course, the family gathering made it perfect. We were so blessed this Easter Sunday. We finally remembered the last time we had celebrated Easter on the front lawn. It was the year 1999, when he and my daughter graduated from high school.

A decade of change and healing. A time of new beginnings and new life.