May 12, 2010

Three New Designs

We at London Bay Embossed Stationery are please to announce three new designs
in our Christian note cards. We’ve added the following symbols:

The Lamb–printed on the back of the card is “The Lamb of God”
The Cat–printed on the back of the card is “The Cat–One of God’s Creatures”
St. Mark’s–printed on the back of the card is simply “St. Mark’s”

The new designs are on our updated order forms. To view the forms with the new symbols or to print the forms simply go to the Purchase Cards page of this website and click on the appropriate order form (Retail, Wholesale or Bulk).

* Filed by Cheryl at 9:18 am under Symbols, Uncategorized
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April 19, 2010

Manna

The miraculous food or “bread from heaven”, symbolizing the Grace of God, which appeared each morning, six days a week, to feed the Israelites during their wanderings after their deliverance out of Egypt. One explanation for the name is that it derives from the Hebrew man hu meaning “what is it?” When the people of Israel saw it they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said…”It is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.” (Exodus 16:15). Jesus says,
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven.” (John 6:51). The Body of Christ is the new spiritual food for all men.

The above is from The Elements of Christian Symbolism by John Baldock

* Filed by Cheryl at 8:41 pm under Symbols
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March 25, 2010

The Seven “I Am’s”

Statements made by Jesus Christ that reveal his character and his work. All come
from the Gospel of John.
* I am the bread of life (6:35);
* I am the light of the world (8:12), often symbolized by a candle;
* I am the door (10:9)
* I am the good shepherd (10:11, 14), often symbolized by a shepherd’s staff or
a shepherd holding a lamb;
* I am the resurrection and the life (11:25);
* I am the way, the truth, and the life (14:6);
* I am the true vine (15:1, 5), often symbolized by a vine and branches. The vine
represents Christ and the branches his followers.

The above is from Worship Without Words by Patricia S. Klein

* Filed by Cheryl at 7:32 pm under Symbols, Uncategorized
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February 20, 2010

Cross Fleurie

This form of cross features four equal length arms tipped with lily shaped end caps,
symbolizing the resurrection and the trinity.

* Filed by Cheryl at 7:11 pm under Symbols
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January 25, 2010

Secret Signs of Early Christians

“…the early Christians were a persecuted minority, and the overt use of images related to their beliefs would have attracted the unwelcome attentions of their enemies. The earliest symbols used by Christians were therefore more in the manner of secret signs. Clement of Alexandria sanctioned their use on signet rings; or they were employed as decoration on glassware, lamps and other practical objects which had themselves taken on a new connotation. Although many of them might nowadays be regarded more as signs than as symbols, even the simplest Christian sign was rich in symbolic significance because of its association with the mysteries of Christ and the Incarnation of the Word or Logos.

Among these earliest signs was the Chi Rho monogram…The initial letters of the Greek words ‘Alpha’ and ‘Omega’ were also used, as was the word ‘Icthus’, meaning ‘fish’. It was not long before the fish itself was portrayed, along with birds, animals, and other subjects whose symbolic significance was self-evident to Christians but obscure to the uninitiated. Simple representations of the dove, the phoenix, the peacock the lamb, loaves of bread, and the vine soon abounded, laying the foundation for the figurative and symbolic nature of Christian art.”

The above is from: The Elements of Christian Symbolism by John Baldock

* Filed by Cheryl at 11:07 am under History of Symbols, Symbols
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December 22, 2009

Chi Rho

The Chi Rho symbol is an ancient monogram of Christ. It is comprised of the letter “P” superimposed on an “X”. It’s derived from the first two letters of the Greek word Christos (XPICTOC) and forms an abbreviation for the name of Christ.

This monogram has been used by Christians for at least 1600 years. Constantine had the Chi Rho smbol placed on the shields of his soldiers and it has been used on countless altars, stoles, church pews, and candle stands, among many other items through the centuries.

* Filed by Cheryl at 10:20 am under Symbols
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November 18, 2009

Colors Used in the Christian Year

The following list shows when the various colors are used:

The four Sundays in Advent–Violet (or Purple)
Christmas–White
Sundays after Christmas–White
Epiphany and the following Sundays–White
(Green by Episcopalians after the Epiphany Octave)
Transfiguration of our Lord–White
Pre-Lenten Sundays–Violet
(or Green by Lutherans)
All Sundays in Lent–Violet
All other days in Lent, Up to Good Friday–Violet
Holy Week, beginning with vespers of Palm Sunday–Violet
Maundy Thursday–Violet
(or White if Holy Communion is celebrated)
Good Friday–Black
Easter and the following Sundays–White
Ascension Day and the following Sunday–White

The above is from Our Christian Symbols by Friedrich Rest.
There are variations of colors used by different denominations.

* Filed by Cheryl at 4:48 pm under Uncategorized
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October 20, 2009

Symbolism of Colors

    Hangings on altar, lectern, and pulpit are to a church what curtains and drapes are to a home. Whenever they appear in churches, the changing colors attract, add variety, and point to the significance of the season or the festival. The same colors of the church year are used also for bookmarks and stoles.

    White is the symbol of the Creator, light, joy, purity, innocence, glory and perfection.

    Violet denotes mourning and penitence, and is also symbolic of humility, suffering, sympathy, and fasting. Purple equally appropriate, is frequently used instead of violet. Purple is the regal color, referring to the triumphal entry of the King of kings, who was of royal (Davidic) descent, and who is the Ruler of many hearts. Purple is also the color of penitence, refering to the purple garments put on our Lord when they mocked him (John 19:2; Mark 15:17).

    Red depicts divine zeal on the day of Pentecost, and refers to the blood of the martyrs of the Church.

    Green is the universal color of nature, signifying hope.

    Black is the color of grief and sorrow.

    To these five colors of the church year we may add gold, since it is used on fringes of the hangings. Gold refers to worth, virtue, the glory of God, and Christian might.

    The above is excerpted from Our Christian Symbols by Friedrich Rest.

    * Filed by Cheryl at 2:52 pm under History of Symbols, Symbols
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September 18, 2009

Descending Dove

    The descending dove is the most commonly used symbol for the Holy Spirit. In the story of Jesus’ baptism we read (Mark 1:10) “And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”

    Sometimes too a flame or seven flames will be used to represent the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentacost when “tongues of fire” rested on the followers of Christ and they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4).

    * Filed by Cheryl at 2:27 pm under Symbols
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August 23, 2009

A Note from a Customer

We received the following note from one of our long-time customers. It certainly pleases us to know
that our stationery is used to bear witness to Christ:

Thank you so much for your beautiful stationery–So many peoples lives are ministered to by
these precious symbols of Christ. I have such joy in sending them because they represent
Him in such a beautiful way.
Agnes

* Filed by Cheryl at 10:29 pm under Symbols, Uncategorized
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