Since the early days of the Christian church, the symbol of a fish — drawn on a wall, traced in the sand or stuck on the bumper of a car — has signaled faith in Jesus Christ.

Hence, fish and other symbols representing Jesus and his work in the lives of believers are among the ornaments used to decorate the Chrismon tree that stands in the sanctuary at Vicksburg’s First Presbyterian Church.

First Presbyterian’s tradition of putting up a Chrismon tree — the name is a combination of Christ and monogram, or symbol — goes back more years than anyone can remember.

“I’ve been here in Vicksburg almost 40 years and it was here when I came,” said Pam Gee, the church librarian. “It’s a lovely tradition. Unlike ordinary Christmas trees, it makes you think of the birth of Jesus and the person of Jesus in our lives. All of the things he represents in our lives are there.”

The practice of putting up a Chrismon tree is thought to have begun in Danville, Va., in 1957, when Frances Kipps Spencer of Ascension Lutheran Church set about creating ornaments suitable for a church Christmas tree, rather than using meaningless shiny balls and secular decorations. Others trace the Chrismon tree further back, to Ascension’s pastor, the Rev. George Pass, in 1940.

The Chrismon tree is highly symbolic, from the evergreen tree symbolizing the believer’s eternal life in Christ to the tiny white lights and white and gold ornaments — white for Christ’s purity and perfection and gold for his majesty and glory.