My First Book of Christian Symbols

Originally published in the 1960s, this book presents 30 drawings of Christian Symbols:

• Latin Cross
• Celtic Cross
• The Greek Cross
• St. Andrew's Cross
• Anchor Cross
• Cross and Crown
• IHS
• The Chi Rho
• Alpha and Omega
• The Fleur de Lis
• Star of David
• The hand of God
• Candle
• Table of Stone
• The Fish
• Crown of Thorns and Nails
• Bell
• Bible
• Peacock
• Dove with Olive Branch
• Lamb
• Cock
• The Descending Dove
• The Lamp
• The Lily
• The Wheat
• Bunch of Grapes
• Holly
• Torch
• The Pelican

Each drawing has been done in large outline, one to a page, and with a full description on the back of each. These will be found attractive and useful to adults or young people, and even to children. They may be used for the sheer joy of acquiring new knowledge on common Christian Symbols, or they may be used as flash cards and held before a class or other group for instruction and quizzing. The symbols may be cut out and given to children to be colored and studied, thereby helping them to learn more intimately the origin and meaning of the symbols.

Ideas and Games to Use with My First Book of Christian Symbols:

• To Use by Myself --
  1. AS A COLOR BOOK. Color each Symbol carefully with crayons, water colors, poster paints, oils or chalk. Before coloring, read interesting information about the Symbol and keep in mind its religious meaning as you color. Symbols may be kept in book or cut out to make colorful decorations in your room or in a notebook.
  2. AS AN OUTLINE BOOK. Each Symbol is very simple to trace on paper, cardboard, wood, or other surfaces, and can be made into an attractive, interesting notebook project. When project is completed it can be kept as a personal hobby, given to your Church School teacher, or presented to some sick or shut-in friend.
  3. AS A GUIDE BOOK. It will be interesting to make a collection of places in the Church and other buildings where these symbols are used. Make a notebook of each symbol and the places where it is found, such as Stained Glass Windows, Church Fabrics, etc. See how many different places you can find these Symbols.
• To Use with Others in the Church School --
  1. GUESS WHAT? Divide the 30 Symbols equally among all who would like to play. Taking turns, each player holds up one Symbol. The first to raise his hand and correctly identify it wins the Symbol. Continue game until all Symbols have been used. The one with the most Symbols wins the game.
  2. GUESS WHO? Place all 30 Symbols on the table face up. Each player takes a turn and relates any Symbol to a character or person in the Bible. For instance, Cross -- Jesus, Cock -- Peter, Tablet -- Moses, Dove -- Holy Spirit. The Bible can be used as a guide book. Sunday School teacher or Young People's Leader can be referee.
  3. SYMBOL SWAP. It will be fun to collect as many pictures and photographs as possible showing the Symbols in your Symbol book. There are many other Christian symbols, related to church life, you will also want to collect. Learn how they are used in the Church and other places. Now swap them with other children in the Church School, gathering as many as you can. See who can build the largest collection of Christian Symbols.
• To Use with the Family in the Home --
  1. READ AND GUESS. Taking turns, each member of the family reads the facts on the back of the Symbol card until someone is able to identify it. Whoever guesses it first keeps the card. The one with the most cards wins the game. Be sure when reading the facts on the card that the name of the Symbol is omitted.
  2. SYMBOL DOWN. The family chooses two equal sides. One is appointed leader. The leader shows one Symbol to a person on one side. If the Symbol is correctly identified, the player remains in the game. If it is identified incorrectly, he sits down and is out of the game. The leader then shows a Symbol to the other side in the same manner. This process continues until one side is eliminated.
  3. READ AND WORSHIP. The family gathers in the evening and selects one Symbol. First they read the information together. Then they discuss, very briefly, the meaning and significance of the Symbol. Together they pray, silently or orally, with the meaning of the Symbol as the theme of prayer.