November 2025
The Messenger
Bring A Piece of Church History Into Your Home It seems that Christmas decorating begins a little earlier each year. Whether you love seeing the Christmas tree go up before the turkey is even carved or you prefer to savor each season in its own time, decorating for Christmas is always meaningful. It weaves together memories of the past with hopes for the future. Decorating our church is no different. In fact, it can feel like a sacred moment— set apart to remind us, and to show the world, that something is shifting. The season is changing, and we are preparing our hearts to step once again into the mystery of Christmas: the mystery of how God came to be with us and changed everything. For many years, our sanctuary was adorned with towering Christmas trees covered in hand-made Chrismon ornaments crafted by our own members. Some of those faithful hands still worship among us; others are now part of the great cloud of witnesses who continue to shape us in new ways. Although we no longer place the large trees in the sanctuary, those beautifully detailed Chrismon ornaments have been carefully stored away—waiting.
This year, we believe it is time for these Chrismons, with all their intricate designs and holy memories, to become part of your own Christmas traditions. They hold the history of Fredericksburg Baptist Church. They tell the story of Christ, and they tell our story—our beloved people—and now, they will begin to hold your story as well. We have selected a beautiful representation of these ornaments to preserve in our history room. But the rest, we want to place in your homes, where the love and craftsmanship of past generations can be seen and cherished again. Throughout the month of Advent, these ornaments will hang on the liturgical trees in the Welcome Center, alongside cards with angel tree wishes for our church family. We hope you will take both: an angel tree card and a Chrismon ornament. Hang your Chrismon on your Christmas tree or in a meaningful place in your home as a reminder of where we have been. Then fulfill your angel tree wish—either by purchasing a gift card or writing a check—and return it to the church by December 21st as a reminder of where we are going.
We are a church that continues to grow and change—not for the sake of change itself, but because Christ calls us into ministry together. Ministry looks like honoring both the past and the future. Ministry looks like remembering our saints and welcoming the new baby. Ministry looks like handcrafted ornaments and hands serving chili to our neighbors. Ministry looks like laughter and joy shared in community. Ministry looks like you, like me, like all of us. As we enter this season of expectant waiting, I invite you: visit the liturgical trees, choose an ornament, take an angel tree card, and join in the ministry of this season.