"Don't Forget the Lamb"

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 also 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 form more of an abbreviation than a monogram. It was used as decoration in architecture, on banners, and on jewelry much as crosses are used today. Chi-Rho continues to be popular and can be seen in many modern churches. The letter Chi is shown in the Chi Rho 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 (ah-ha, there’s a word with an ‘x’), Christ is our ‘example’ & we are called to be ‘examples’ of faith in Him), ‘excellent’–how marvelous is our Savior,’ ‘X-ray’–our Lord can see right through us, ‘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)! Welcome to the Morning Worship of the College Heights Baptist Church on the fifth of December, 2021 The Second Sunday of Advent: PEACE Service begins at 10:30 AM “I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:27 (CEV) Prelude Music “The Lion and the Lamb” Welcome & Announcements Scripture & Prayer Music “O Come, All You Unfaithful” “What Child Is This?” Mission Video 118 “Together” Scripture & Prayer Message John Ball Luke 1:68-79 Exodus 12:1-14, 26-28 Robert Murphy “Don’t Forget the Lamb” (Exodus 12:1-28) Response Benediction “O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer” Revelation 1:5b-6 Postlude Not all my prayers nor sighs nor tears, Can ease my awful load. Thy work alone, O Christ, Can ease this weight of sin; Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, Can give me peace within. HORATIUS BONAR (1808–1889) Lentz Upshaw