A Christian Year in Glass Art
In this panel, Holly is used to represent eternal life, the printed leaves of which represent the thorns of Christ’s crown. Red berries are often used to show the blood shed for our salvation.
The traditional four candles, three of which are purple and remind us of our preparation to receive Christ are shown. The pink symbolizes Joy at the anticipated birth of our savior.
The light circling the candles reminds us of Jesus, the light of the world, coming into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life and hope. It also reminds us that we are called dot be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God’s grace to others.
Shepherds in the hills above Bethlehem tending their sheep, are the amazed witnesses of the joyful moment when angels fill the night sky singing praises to a newly born baby. This special child is the long awaited Savior of the world, not just for the Jewish nation, but for all mankind.
Beveled pieces of glass are used for the stars scattered through a dark blue night sky. The largest of these casts its light down to where the child is lying in a manger. The Wise Men find this special baby boy by following the start from far away countries, when it comes to rest above the child. The angels, in a sky filled with bright light sing praises to God in celebration of the birth of His son, the King of all Kings.
Jesus comes to his cousin John to be baptized by him. John used water to baptize many, but feels unworthy to baptize Jesus. He knows that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Jesus used this occasion as his public consecration to God and the beginning of his ministry. God’s approval of this baptism is show with the descent of a dove.
By his baptism Jesus becomes our substitute. Nearby, a boat is docked, reminding us of numerous references to fishing vessels in Jesus’ ministry, calling fisherman to be his disciples, bidding Peter to walk on water, asking that they follow him as “fishers of men”. In the background a tree grows in the lushness of the river water. It is a reminder of the cross and Christ as our Tree of Life.
A donkey carried Jesus to his place of birth, in Bethlehem, and now a donkey carries Jesus to his death in Jerusalem.
This window depicts Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. A throng of people greet him, waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna, Blessed is He who Comes in the Name of Lord! ” He looks forward resolutely knowing that thought great crowds await him he faces suffering and death ahead.
Grape vineyards and grain were common crops at the time of Christ. Grapes were often made into wine and grain ground into flour for bread. The first miracle Jesus performed was the turning of water into wine at a wedding in Cana, Galilee. He and his disciples ate grain from the stalks as they walked through the countryside.
In the last meal before his death, Jesus shared with this disciples the bread and wine, speaking of them as this body and blood, sign of the new covenant. On the day of his resurrection, the risen Jesus made himself known to his followers in the breaking of bread. Now, the Lord’s Supper is the sign and seal of eating and drinking in communion with the crucified and risen Lord.
The large cross with the harsh thorns on its crown, represents the horror of crucifixion. The red in the jagged crown represents the blood of Christ, drawn by the crown of thorns and from the scourging ordered of Pilate, and by the nails driven through Jesus’ hands and feet.
The gray swirl around the cross reflects the darkness that fell across the land when Jesus dies, and the agony of the followers of Christ as they watched him die on the cross.
In the early morning light, the women find the empty tomb. Eventually, confusion and fear are replaced with joyous amazement and thanksgiving. The cross, with the white mantle blowing gently in the breeze, represents the victory of life over a cross that has caused so much pain. Death could not keep Jesus. Christ lives and the whole earth rejoices.
Suddenly there is the sound of a great wind, filling the house where the disciples are gathered. A great fire separates and individual tongues of flame come to rest over each of them. Each one is filled with the Holy Spirit: They have received the great commission from Jesus to go out into the world to share the story of his life and his saving promise.
The panel indicates our joyful celebration of the lives of those who have gone before us from all over the world as all races and cultures celebrate as one people under Christ.
In this panel the cross that sans the oceans shows the depth of power that is Christ as King of Kings over all the earth and the universe.
This panel represents Christ the King Sunday, which celebrates the all embracing authority of Christ as King and Lord of the universe. It is celebrated on the last Sunday of the Christian year and the Sunday before Advent.
The Cross and Crown indicate that although Christ Jesus was supreme over the earth, he loved us so much that he was willing to suffer the depths of human pain and be crucified. In the pane, the cross and crown are surrounded by a circle of gold and gemstones that represent Christ’s royal lineage and his divine rule over all the world.
The purple background also represents his royalty. There are additional symbols quietly cut into the background . . . the shell reminds us of Jesus’ baptism . . . the dove recalls the Holy Spirit . . . the fish reminds us of the commission to make the disciples . . . the bread and cup signify the Last Supper . . . and the butterfly embodies the resurrection of Christ and the new life we are promised.