Christ the King
This banner symbolizes the fulfillment of the previous week’s promises, it also points directly to the week to come. The king’s crown has sharp edges to represent the nails and the sword piercing Christ on the cross. The viewer’s position is on the hill of Golgotha, but looking up, toward heaven.
Christ’s earthly crown was not made of gold and jewels, but of thorns—brutal, sharp, and causing real harm and pain. Woven into the thorns is the ichthys, representing Christians. This is not a bumper-sticker ichthys; choosing to follow Christ isn’t a bumper-sticker promise. It’s a hard life with sharp edges. There is joy and salvation, but no promise of an easy road to follow. This banner juxtaposes the richness of God’s kingdom with the wealth of the cross and the sheer enormity of salvation’s cost.

Jesus, Prince of Peace
A prince points to a king. A prince speaks of hope for more. Our Prince of Peace talks about a world restored and new. Thus, this banner has symbols of new life: Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches (John 15:5). The banner also includes a coronet, a symbol of royalty. The work of renewal comes through the Trinity, the work of God, Christ, and the Spirit. The Trinity is symbolized by the trefoil: the three and the one. The green symbolizes growth. The light-colored tree symbolizes newness.

Jesus the Shepherd
The central image of the shepherd connects Jesus’ coming to the Old Testament and conveys several truths about his identity as the shepherd of his church and our identity as members of the church. First, the banner alludes to welcome and calling. The shepherd’s hand is extended, but not visible, because we are the welcoming hands of Christ. The shepherd hook was meant for gentle guidance. During this week of Advent, we explore how the Old Testament points toward the New and consider where we are during our time of waiting in a post-resurrection world.

Jesus, Light of the World