CRUCIFIXES, CROSSES AND CHRISTIAN HOME DECOR

Crucifixes, crosses and other inspirational products serve as constant reminders of Christ. They have a place in believers' homes, offices, and churches. They also make excellent gifts.

As a representation of the sacrifice of Jesus, for many people a crucifix is a symbol of God's love and the redemption of mankind. Christians sit, stand, or kneel in front of a cross or crucifix in prayer and meditation. For many people, displaying a crucifix or cross at home or at work bears witness to their faith.

In addition to being important Christian symbols, crosses and crucifixes can be beautiful works of art. A simple, handmade cross or an elaborately carved and ornamented crucifix equally represents the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. A hand carved Jerusalem cross with the engraved face of Jesus is a meditative focal point. Four crosses on the corners represent the commitment of Christians to spreading the gospel to the four corners of the earth. These symbols of Christian devotion add both beauty and spirit to home decor.

Modern folk artists draw on their appreciation for both nature and Christianity to create unique works of devotional art. Angel birdhouses, rich in whimsical detail, welcome feathered friends. A porcelain folk art statuette of an angel holds a tea candle to warm a dark corner or kindle a friendship. A stone resin angel carrying the serenity prayer is a lovely daily reminder for anyone, regardless of religious faith.

Christian symbols make perfect Christmas gifts. A lion and lamb cross figurine depicts the ultimate peace that is found only in Jesus. Traditional and modern-looking nativity sets add life to the Christmas season and some are of heirloom quality that can be handed down for generations to come. A glass dome nativity is a beautiful decoration for Christmas and throughout the year. A red, green, and gold glittering cross makes an elegant tree ornament. Holy family musical globes celebrate Christmas in sight and sound.

For the practical-minded, boxes ornamented with nativity scenes or crosses make safe homes for rosaries or other keepsakes. Picture frames decorated with angels and crosses symbolize love for the newborn babe and for Jesus. Psalm 23 business card holders are ideal reminders for the hard-working person.

Christian symbols bring messages of gratitude, peace, and love. A graceful angel gazes toward heaven with a gesture of thanks. A banner carries the message of peace. A figurine of a cherub with doves honors peace, love, and innocence. A beautiful angel sitting next to a rock inscribed with "Bless this Home" is a blessing indeed.

Statues of angels hold blessings of guidance, generosity, peace, and harmony. Each angel statue carries its own message

Crosses and other Christian symbols bear witness to faith. When placed in home decor, they bring the devotion of Christ into the home and everyday life. There is perhaps no better way to bring grace to family and friends.

CROSSES AND CRUCIFIXES

It has been a tradition of Catholic families to hang crucifixes throughout their homes, or to even have a crucifix embedded into the foundation of the house. Some hang the crucifix on the walls of their home as a reminder of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice, but beyond this it is also a sacramental, used in devotion to Our Lord and as a guard against evil.

The tradition is hard to date; the earliest Christians did not openly display the crucifix partly to not scandalize the weak, and partly to avoid subjecting it to the ridicule of Pagans. Instead they carried and used veiled symbols in art, for example an anchor, to refer to the Cross of Jesus. However, by the 5^th century, the open depiction of the crucifix had become widespread; by the 6^th century veneration to the Cross was firmly established. The Christian Faithful not only used it in art and to hang on walls but also on household utensils and plates, medals, lamps, toys, combs, the seals of wine-jars, and even on water-pipes.

The two traditions that have lasted and remain prevalent in the lives of Catholics today are to wear a crucifix and to place them throughout the home. They are often hung on the wall, but standing crucifixes which stand on a table are also popular. The Vatican’s exorcist, Gabriele Amorth, encourages the faithful to keep a crucifix in every room.

Prayer in front of a crucifix is encouraged as a means of focusing contemplation on Christ. Many of the saints practiced this, both in everyday prayer and also when they were suffering. Catherine of Siena was known to look upon a Crucifix for hours each day and when Joan of Arc was martyred, she asked a member of the clergy present to hold a crucifix before her.

CROSS WALL PLAQUE

They say your house says a lot about you. For Christians, much of the decor of their home may reflect their beliefs, with this cross wall plaque your friends will get the feel of your belief. Focus on your faith with this simple stone-finished cross with a rose accent, polyresin 71/2"x1"x12" high. Growing up it was not uncommon to go to a friend's house and find holy water fonts on the wall for you to bless yourself when you walked in. Many people had a statue of The Blessed Mother or Sacred Heart of Jesus. All this can be replaced with a cross wall plaque that can be placed in any room. One idea to help with your prayer life is to set up a room or a particular section of a room in your home as a prayer corner. In this room you can have your bible displayed, other items may include statuary of The Blessed Mother, The cross wall plaque, The Saints on Jesus to help focus you during your prayer. These proper setting help with a prosperous prayer life.

WOODEN CRUCIFIXES

A crucifix is a cross with a painted or sculptured image of Christ on it. Crucifixes first appeared around the 5th century A.D. from 9th century on the aim of artist was to convey an increasingly realistic portrayal of Jesus suffering. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a horrifying moment in the history of man kind: A man was executed in the most loathsome and barbaric fashion. But the artist want us to consider more than the brutal realities of that day. Behind the graphic description of a dead man hanging on a cross is symbolic of the Christ that seem to be suspended between earth and heaven, floating above the ground as if weightless. Today, wooden crucifixes are popular religious gifts for young people who are discovering faith. Crucifixes are often given for sacraments including weddings, Baptism or conformation. This handsomely detailed wooden crucifix features a simple wooden cross with an polyresin sculpture of Christ. Dimension are 14 3/8 '' x 3 1/8 x 20 1/2'' high.