Taking It Apart: John 17:21 Emblem

With the great history in mind and ministry outreach focus, lets take a look at how the YMCA emblem represents this organization’s history and purpose. Few organizations have as meaningful and rich an emblem as the YMCA. These are all of the parts:

THE DOUBLE CIRCLE: One circle symbolizes the completeness and unity of the total of life and God’s created order. The other symbolizes a wedding ring, friendship and love without end, among individuals. Within these circles or rings, the rest of the emblem is placed.


THE GREEK LETTERS CHI & RHO (XP): The first two letters of the word Christos - meaning Christ - and in themselves the emblem of early Christianity.



THE TWO TRIANGLES: One standing for the trinity within the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The other, the trinity within man, that of the spirit, the mind and the body.


THE BIBLE: It is opened to Jesus’ intercessory prayer for his followers in the Gospel of John, chapter 17, verse 21. This text was set forth as the foundation of the YMCA:

“That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me
and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world
may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21

The context of this passage was emphasizing that the followers of Christ should have such love and care for one another and for those around them that the rest of the world would believe, because of this genuine love.

Therefore the complete assembly of all these component parts gives this great organization the emblem.

In the Spirit of Camp,
Allison

The above information was found at http://www.ymcamacon.org/YMCA%20Emblem.htm