"PEACE: The Beneath a Patient Life"

Symbols of the Christ Symbols have been an important element of Christianity since the first century. They have been used for their educational value, as an aid in worship, and even, at times, as secret codes of the faith. An effective symbol should draw attention, not to itself, but to the message–not a bad idea for Christians to apply to themselves! As a result, symbols are often silhouettes, or very simple shapes, or even crudely drawn. Christians have often used abbreviations and monograms as “shorthand” for Jesus Christ. Of course, since Greek was the “lingua franca” during the early church period, we find the Greek alphabet to be the one used most often. Sometimes the use of the equivalent English characters is a little confusing or misleading. Chief among early Christian monograms was the Greek letters Chi (χ) and Rho (ρ). These are the first two letters of the Greek word “Christ,” and they really more of an abbreviation than a monogram. It was used as decoration in architecture, on banners and jewelry much as crosses are used today. Chi-Rho continues to be popular and is often used in modern churches for banners, furniture decoration, Chi Rho and stained glass. The letter Chi is shown in the Latin alphabet as an “X”, hence the abbreviation “Xmas” for “Christmas.” Its use in this way doesn’t really take “Christ out of Christmas”, but, for the believer at least, is an abbreviation for Christ in Christmas. Thought of in this way, you might use it as a reminder of our Lord and Savior every time you come across a word with an “x” in it. For example (oh, there’s a word with an ‘x’, Christ is our example & we are called to be examples of faith in Him), ‘excellent’–how excellent is our Savior,’ X-ray’–our Lord can see right into our very souls, ‘exalted’–Christ is lifted up to the highest heavens, etc. You may find this an exceedingly exciting and extraordinary exercise in exploiting words to exuberantly express your love for χριστός – Christ! Alpha and Omega Alpha is the first letter and Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet and, as such, were used to represent the beginning and the end, or everything. Several scriptures in Revelations refer to Jesus as "the Alpha and the Omega" (Rev. 1:8 and 21:6). The Jews understood this term to mean divinity and to be synonymous with "God". These letters are usually used along with some other symbols of Jesus, such as the crown, the cross, the anchor, Chi Rho, etc . Welcome to the Morning Worship of the College Heights Baptist Church on December the eighth, 2024 The Second Sunday of Advent: Peace Service begins at 10:30 AM “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14 Prelude with announcements Welcome & Announcements Lentz Upshaw PEACE Advent Readings, Candle Lighting, & Prayer Music John & Virginia Mixer “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” 76 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” 77 “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” 88 Missions Video Scripture & Prayer James 5:7-12 “PEACE: The Root Beneath a Patient Life” Sermon Lentz Upshaw (James 5:7-12) Response “Immanuel” Benediction Philippians 4:7 Postlude Christ is the humility of God embodied in human nature; the Eternal Love humbling itself, clothing itself in the garb of meekness and gentleness, to win and serve and save us. ANDREW MURRAY (1828-1917)