Throughout the region, churches are joyfully celebrating the Advent and Christmas seasons. Because Advent marks the beginning of the Christian calendar, it is a time of renewal and hope. Sanctuaries and fellowship halls are festooned with greenery, nativity scenes and festively decorated trees.

Instead of the usual glass balls and ornaments traditionally associated with the Christmas tree, some churches erect “Chrismon” trees. A contraction for “Christ’s monograms,” some of the symbolism, such as the simple outline of a fish, dates back to the Roman Empire and the earliest days of Christianity.

At the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, parishioners recently gathered to decorate their sanctuary and church, a landmark more than a century old. The Chrismon ornaments they hung were handmade by Tracy Curenton, whose family has attended the church for generations.

Curenton said erecting a Chrismon tree is a good spiritual alternative to the more secular Christmas tree, and emphasizes “the reason for the season” within a congregation.

To see a selection of Chrismon ornament patterns and explanations of the meaning behind each, visit www.umcs.org/chrismons/patterns/index.htm.