A Word of Introduction
Just as the Old Testament Temple was filled with a multitude of symbols and images to direct the heart, mind, and soul heavenward, so the New Testament Church very early began to use God's gift of art to direct Christian believers toward the heavenly realities that are present yet unseen ... or to recall to mind with greater vividness those things which define the life of the Church and every believer.
The Stained Glass Windows in the nave of Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church were designed with the goal of depicting in visual form many of the great stories and truths that God has revealed to His people and to the world through His Holy Word. If we were to select a one word theme for all the windows together, it would be: Comfort. The windows themselves can be grouped into two general categories of comfort: 1) overarching comfort; and 2) particular comfort.
The intended sequence of viewing the windows is laid out in the rest of this booklet. In general, however, it is as they are viewed from left to right as one faces them looking north, which is to say the way a visitor would first see them when entering the main doors into what would normally be a narthex (an entry way for welcoming), but, at present, is part of the nave. To continue the sequence in the intended order, the visitor would turn 180 degrees, and while looking southward view them from right to left. When viewed in this manner, the overarching comfort windows are in general the ones on the north wall and those offering particular comfort are the ones on the South wall.
The six windows which by virtue of position fall in the middle also have an order which is more or less chronological. These six windows are in general paired as Old Testament and New Testament revelations – the Old Testament on the bottom ... the New Testament on the top. Where the Old and New Testament paired concepts would not permit a chronological order, the New Testament chronology was used. Thus, for example, though the Fall into sin (that brought death) came long before the Ten Commandments (and the Flood), the fact that Christ received the full weight and punishment for our breaking of the Ten Commandments places that pair of windows earlier in the order. Admittedly, God has revealed to us a great many important truths and recorded many other important events throughout the history of His gracious interaction with the world and especially with His Church. All eight windows could easily have been dedicated to the task of depicting important events in the earthly life of our Lord, or some other biblical theme. The Window's Task Force chose the ones we now have, partially because they so clearly depict Scripture's teaching as confessed in The Lutheran Confessions, but also because they depict the events and means from which we draw hope, comfort, and peace from the Triune God in the ongoing application of His gifts. It is our prayer that these humble yet beautiful renderings will aid both member and visitor alike in beholding and rejoicing in God's manifold blessings – in particular, our forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life in Christ the Lord.
Soli Deo Gloria!
The Stained Glass Windows in the nave of Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church were designed with the goal of depicting in visual form many of the great stories and truths that God has revealed to His people and to the world through His Holy Word. If we were to select a one word theme for all the windows together, it would be: Comfort. The windows themselves can be grouped into two general categories of comfort: 1) overarching comfort; and 2) particular comfort.
The intended sequence of viewing the windows is laid out in the rest of this booklet. In general, however, it is as they are viewed from left to right as one faces them looking north, which is to say the way a visitor would first see them when entering the main doors into what would normally be a narthex (an entry way for welcoming), but, at present, is part of the nave. To continue the sequence in the intended order, the visitor would turn 180 degrees, and while looking southward view them from right to left. When viewed in this manner, the overarching comfort windows are in general the ones on the north wall and those offering particular comfort are the ones on the South wall.
The six windows which by virtue of position fall in the middle also have an order which is more or less chronological. These six windows are in general paired as Old Testament and New Testament revelations – the Old Testament on the bottom ... the New Testament on the top. Where the Old and New Testament paired concepts would not permit a chronological order, the New Testament chronology was used. Thus, for example, though the Fall into sin (that brought death) came long before the Ten Commandments (and the Flood), the fact that Christ received the full weight and punishment for our breaking of the Ten Commandments places that pair of windows earlier in the order. Admittedly, God has revealed to us a great many important truths and recorded many other important events throughout the history of His gracious interaction with the world and especially with His Church. All eight windows could easily have been dedicated to the task of depicting important events in the earthly life of our Lord, or some other biblical theme. The Window's Task Force chose the ones we now have, partially because they so clearly depict Scripture's teaching as confessed in The Lutheran Confessions, but also because they depict the events and means from which we draw hope, comfort, and peace from the Triune God in the ongoing application of His gifts. It is our prayer that these humble yet beautiful renderings will aid both member and visitor alike in beholding and rejoicing in God's manifold blessings – in particular, our forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life in Christ the Lord.
Soli Deo Gloria!
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Upon entry into what would normally be the narthex the first scene that greets members and guests alike is: The Good Shepherd. Jesus says in John 10: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” The good shepherd, who also says, “I know my sheep, and am known by My own,” invites us with outstretched arms to partake of what is offered here in His house—for here He gives out His gifts earned through His death and resurrection, namely: forgiveness, life and salvation. Into His presence He invites young and old to come and partake of the Holy washing of Baptism; come and hear the Word of absolution; come and receive My body and blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
THE SHEEP
This window of sheep heading toward the light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world who says, “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8). Sheep are followers, and when Jesus said, “I know my sheep, and am known by My own,” He meant His own sought in every way to follow Him, and nothing is easier to follow than light. Jesus once said: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11). Those who come and rest in Jesus, rest secure in the sure and certain knowledge that the wounds He bears in His hands, feet and chest are the guarantee that He has gone, and He will still go, to all lengths to fulfill His promises.
Upon entry into what would normally be the narthex the first scene that greets members and guests alike is: The Good Shepherd. Jesus says in John 10: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” The good shepherd, who also says, “I know my sheep, and am known by My own,” invites us with outstretched arms to partake of what is offered here in His house—for here He gives out His gifts earned through His death and resurrection, namely: forgiveness, life and salvation. Into His presence He invites young and old to come and partake of the Holy washing of Baptism; come and hear the Word of absolution; come and receive My body and blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
THE SHEEP
This window of sheep heading toward the light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world who says, “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8). Sheep are followers, and when Jesus said, “I know my sheep, and am known by My own,” He meant His own sought in every way to follow Him, and nothing is easier to follow than light. Jesus once said: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11). Those who come and rest in Jesus, rest secure in the sure and certain knowledge that the wounds He bears in His hands, feet and chest are the guarantee that He has gone, and He will still go, to all lengths to fulfill His promises.
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
Paired with the Creation window below, this window depicts the birth (nativity) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even as God created all there is, so God the Son graciously descends from His glory in heaven to redeem and restore His creation from the sin and death that separated it from Him. The symbol in the white circle is the Greek Chi- Rho, symbols representing the first two letters of Christ's name, and used for centuries in the Church for Christ. He Who is the Light and Life of the world comes into the darkness of our sin-filled world (the purple glass) and already at His birth begins His work of shedding His Light into our lives (the rays of the star and the sky blue surrounding the manger and Christ symbol).
THE CREATION
The Triune God’s first work was the creation of heaven and earth (and all things visible and invisible, as we confess in the Creed). Holy Scripture says that in the beginning the earth was formless and void – there was only chaos and deep darkness until God began speaking His mighty and creative Word. In six days God created light, luminary bodies (the sun and moon and stars), all planets, brought the waters together to forms seas and reveal the land ... upon which God created all manner of plants and trees. Not depicted here in this window are God’s creation of animal life (sea creatures, birds, insects, reptiles, mammals, etc.) and, of course, Adam and Eve.
Paired with the Creation window below, this window depicts the birth (nativity) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even as God created all there is, so God the Son graciously descends from His glory in heaven to redeem and restore His creation from the sin and death that separated it from Him. The symbol in the white circle is the Greek Chi- Rho, symbols representing the first two letters of Christ's name, and used for centuries in the Church for Christ. He Who is the Light and Life of the world comes into the darkness of our sin-filled world (the purple glass) and already at His birth begins His work of shedding His Light into our lives (the rays of the star and the sky blue surrounding the manger and Christ symbol).
THE CREATION
The Triune God’s first work was the creation of heaven and earth (and all things visible and invisible, as we confess in the Creed). Holy Scripture says that in the beginning the earth was formless and void – there was only chaos and deep darkness until God began speaking His mighty and creative Word. In six days God created light, luminary bodies (the sun and moon and stars), all planets, brought the waters together to forms seas and reveal the land ... upon which God created all manner of plants and trees. Not depicted here in this window are God’s creation of animal life (sea creatures, birds, insects, reptiles, mammals, etc.) and, of course, Adam and Eve.
THE CRUCIFIXION
After Christ came in the weakness of human flesh, His next great work in redeeming His fallen creation was His death on the Cross of Calvary. Paired with the Ten Commandments window, we see in this window the lightning of God’s wrath against sin fall upon Christ – that it might not fall upon us. Our Lord was crucified with two thieves (one on either side). Written above the Cross of our Lord was the human sentence against Him: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. From noon until three the light of the sun was darkened (the purple glass). And yet, from the Cross of Christ, the light of God’s forgiveness causes us to see the fullness of His love for us (the sky blue).
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Upon Holy Mount Sinai God gave Moses two tablets of stone, upon which He had written, with His own finger, the Ten Commandments. Holy Scripture tells us that lightning flashed upon the mountain as God’s Law was given to His people. This teaches us both the seriousness of God’s commands and the severity of God’s punishment upon those who sin against Him and His commands. God says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (ROMANS 3:23). And yet, by the faithfulness of the Son of God — who clothed Himself in human flesh — in life and death, what we deserve (God’s eternal wrath) does not fall upon us, but upon Christ (upper window). Still, we ought strive to keep the Ten Commandments, and insofar as we are Christian, we delight in doing so.
After Christ came in the weakness of human flesh, His next great work in redeeming His fallen creation was His death on the Cross of Calvary. Paired with the Ten Commandments window, we see in this window the lightning of God’s wrath against sin fall upon Christ – that it might not fall upon us. Our Lord was crucified with two thieves (one on either side). Written above the Cross of our Lord was the human sentence against Him: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. From noon until three the light of the sun was darkened (the purple glass). And yet, from the Cross of Christ, the light of God’s forgiveness causes us to see the fullness of His love for us (the sky blue).
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Upon Holy Mount Sinai God gave Moses two tablets of stone, upon which He had written, with His own finger, the Ten Commandments. Holy Scripture tells us that lightning flashed upon the mountain as God’s Law was given to His people. This teaches us both the seriousness of God’s commands and the severity of God’s punishment upon those who sin against Him and His commands. God says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (ROMANS 3:23). And yet, by the faithfulness of the Son of God — who clothed Himself in human flesh — in life and death, what we deserve (God’s eternal wrath) does not fall upon us, but upon Christ (upper window). Still, we ought strive to keep the Ten Commandments, and insofar as we are Christian, we delight in doing so.
THE RESURRECTION
Had Christ remained dead and in the grave after His crucifixion, our salvation would remain in doubt — and, as St. Paul says, our faith would be futile (1 CORINTHIANS 15:17). But Christ has risen from the dead! When the women arrived before sunrise on the third day, the stone was rolled away, the tomb empty, and angels declared: You seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. Behold the place where they laid Him (ST. MARK 16:6). For 40 days He showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs on several occasions, before ascending to the right hand of the Father where He now reigns until He returns on Judgment Day and all flesh will rise from the grave.
THE FALL
Christ’s death and resurrection are the undoing of what happened when mankind fell into sin. For just as God had said of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil: in the day you eat of it you shall surely die (GENESIS 2:17). The serpent beguiled Eve and Adam. Before this Fall, creation was beautiful, good, and full of life (left side). After the Fall, death entered the world ... not only mankind but also the whole creation fell under a curse ... the ground would yield thorns and thistles ... mankind walked in the darkness of sin and impending death (right side). It is by Christ’s work on the Cross and His Resurrection (above) that this curse and death have been undone and in the end a new heaven and new earth are promised!
Had Christ remained dead and in the grave after His crucifixion, our salvation would remain in doubt — and, as St. Paul says, our faith would be futile (1 CORINTHIANS 15:17). But Christ has risen from the dead! When the women arrived before sunrise on the third day, the stone was rolled away, the tomb empty, and angels declared: You seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. Behold the place where they laid Him (ST. MARK 16:6). For 40 days He showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs on several occasions, before ascending to the right hand of the Father where He now reigns until He returns on Judgment Day and all flesh will rise from the grave.
THE FALL
Christ’s death and resurrection are the undoing of what happened when mankind fell into sin. For just as God had said of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil: in the day you eat of it you shall surely die (GENESIS 2:17). The serpent beguiled Eve and Adam. Before this Fall, creation was beautiful, good, and full of life (left side). After the Fall, death entered the world ... not only mankind but also the whole creation fell under a curse ... the ground would yield thorns and thistles ... mankind walked in the darkness of sin and impending death (right side). It is by Christ’s work on the Cross and His Resurrection (above) that this curse and death have been undone and in the end a new heaven and new earth are promised!
HOLY BAPTISM
Water in Holy Scripture carries with it a twofold action – that of killing ... and that of delivering. In the waters of the Red Sea the army of the Egyptians was drowned, but through the parted waters God delivered His people, Israel ... and ultimately brought them into the promised land. So also in the waters of Holy Baptism God does a twofold work – He puts us to death, together with our sin and unbelief, uniting us to the death of His Son ... and He also delivers us from sin, death, and the devil ... sundering us from the world of unbelievers and delivering us into the safety of His Holy Christian Church with the promise of eternal life in heavenly paradise.
THE FLOOD
In Noah’s days, man’s wickedness had become so great that God determined to destroy everything by a great Flood. But God found one man who hearkened to His Word and waited for His promised deliverance. God revealed His plan to Noah and gave him directions to build an ark, by which He would save not only Noah but also his family (8 people in all) as well as the animals of the earth. While Noah was building the ark, he proclaimed God’s judgment against sin and His promised deliverance through the waters in the ark – yet none heeded the warning. Afterward God set the rainbow in the sky as a promise that He would never again destroy the world by flood.
Water in Holy Scripture carries with it a twofold action – that of killing ... and that of delivering. In the waters of the Red Sea the army of the Egyptians was drowned, but through the parted waters God delivered His people, Israel ... and ultimately brought them into the promised land. So also in the waters of Holy Baptism God does a twofold work – He puts us to death, together with our sin and unbelief, uniting us to the death of His Son ... and He also delivers us from sin, death, and the devil ... sundering us from the world of unbelievers and delivering us into the safety of His Holy Christian Church with the promise of eternal life in heavenly paradise.
THE FLOOD
In Noah’s days, man’s wickedness had become so great that God determined to destroy everything by a great Flood. But God found one man who hearkened to His Word and waited for His promised deliverance. God revealed His plan to Noah and gave him directions to build an ark, by which He would save not only Noah but also his family (8 people in all) as well as the animals of the earth. While Noah was building the ark, he proclaimed God’s judgment against sin and His promised deliverance through the waters in the ark – yet none heeded the warning. Afterward God set the rainbow in the sky as a promise that He would never again destroy the world by flood.
THE OFFICE OF THE KEYS
When Peter confessed Him, our Lord said: I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (ST. MATTHEW 16:19). After Hisresurrection, Jesus gave authority to forgive sins to allHis apostles and to pastors who follow in the apostolicoffice as called and ordained servants of the Word (ST.JOHN 20:23). The silver key is the “binding” key – whenunrepentant sinners aredeclared to be still underGod’s condemnation. Thegold key is the “loosing” key– the declaration in the steadand by the command of theLord Jesus that sin is forgivenfor Christ’s sake.
THE HOLY BIBLE
God’s Word is the sole rule and norm of faith and life in the Church and in the life of believers. It is here that we know precisely Who God is and what His attitude is toward us. Only in His Holy Word does God reveal to us that He is a God Who loves us and forgives us for Jesus’ sake. The whole of Scripture – both the Old and the New Testaments – point to Christ and to His work of salvation on the Cross for the life of the world. The symbols on the Bible are alpha and omega – the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Christ – the Word of God made flesh – declares Himself to be the Alpha and Omega ... the Author and Perfecter of our faith ... from first to last.
When Peter confessed Him, our Lord said: I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (ST. MATTHEW 16:19). After Hisresurrection, Jesus gave authority to forgive sins to allHis apostles and to pastors who follow in the apostolicoffice as called and ordained servants of the Word (ST.JOHN 20:23). The silver key is the “binding” key – whenunrepentant sinners aredeclared to be still underGod’s condemnation. Thegold key is the “loosing” key– the declaration in the steadand by the command of theLord Jesus that sin is forgivenfor Christ’s sake.
THE HOLY BIBLE
God’s Word is the sole rule and norm of faith and life in the Church and in the life of believers. It is here that we know precisely Who God is and what His attitude is toward us. Only in His Holy Word does God reveal to us that He is a God Who loves us and forgives us for Jesus’ sake. The whole of Scripture – both the Old and the New Testaments – point to Christ and to His work of salvation on the Cross for the life of the world. The symbols on the Bible are alpha and omega – the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Christ – the Word of God made flesh – declares Himself to be the Alpha and Omega ... the Author and Perfecter of our faith ... from first to last.
HOLY COMMUNION
Of all the gifts of God to His Church and people ... of all the ways God comes to us to give us the fruits of Christ’s work for our forgiveness, salvation, and life, there is no greater expression of our communion and fellowship with Christ than the Lord’s Supper. In the bread and the wine of the chalice, Christ promises that He Himself gives us His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sins – Take, eat; this is My Body ... Drink of it, all of you; this is My Blood of the new testament, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins (ST. MATTHEW 26:26-28; ST. LUKE 22:19- 20). In Holy Communion we receive Christ and all the benefits of His Cross.
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT
When God gave Moses instructions to make the Tabernacle, the most elaborate, ornate, and important item was to be the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place. It was to be overlaid with gold. And on the covering were to be two angels made in gold, bowing, with their wings stretched out. God had promised Moses, saying: And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony (EXODUS 25:22). There the glory of the Lord of mercy shone (white glass). Today God still comes to His people in great glory and mercy ... especially in Holy Communion (see above).
Of all the gifts of God to His Church and people ... of all the ways God comes to us to give us the fruits of Christ’s work for our forgiveness, salvation, and life, there is no greater expression of our communion and fellowship with Christ than the Lord’s Supper. In the bread and the wine of the chalice, Christ promises that He Himself gives us His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sins – Take, eat; this is My Body ... Drink of it, all of you; this is My Blood of the new testament, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins (ST. MATTHEW 26:26-28; ST. LUKE 22:19- 20). In Holy Communion we receive Christ and all the benefits of His Cross.
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT
When God gave Moses instructions to make the Tabernacle, the most elaborate, ornate, and important item was to be the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place. It was to be overlaid with gold. And on the covering were to be two angels made in gold, bowing, with their wings stretched out. God had promised Moses, saying: And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony (EXODUS 25:22). There the glory of the Lord of mercy shone (white glass). Today God still comes to His people in great glory and mercy ... especially in Holy Communion (see above).
ADORATION OF THE LAMB
St. John points to the scene in heaven after Jesus ascension where he heard thousands and thousands saying with a loud voice: 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!' And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: 'Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!. (REVELATION 5:12-13). In Christian symbolism, a lamb standing with a cross and a gash in its side symbolizes Christ's Passion. In worship we receive the benefit of His Passion: forgiveness of sins.
WORSHIP ON EARTH
Our Lord speaks and we listen. His Word bestows what it says. Faith that is born from what is heard acknowledges the gifts received with thanksgiving and praise. Saying back to Him what He has said to us, we repeat what is most true and sure. Most true and sure is His name, which He put upon us with the water of Baptism. The rhythm of earthly worship is from God to us, and then from us to God. His way is to give His gifts, and together we receive and extol them. We build up one another teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord. (COLOSSIANS 3:16). Our Lord gives us His body to eat and His blood to drink, and finally His blessing moves us out into our vocations where His gifts have their fruition.
St. John points to the scene in heaven after Jesus ascension where he heard thousands and thousands saying with a loud voice: 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!' And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: 'Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!. (REVELATION 5:12-13). In Christian symbolism, a lamb standing with a cross and a gash in its side symbolizes Christ's Passion. In worship we receive the benefit of His Passion: forgiveness of sins.
WORSHIP ON EARTH
Our Lord speaks and we listen. His Word bestows what it says. Faith that is born from what is heard acknowledges the gifts received with thanksgiving and praise. Saying back to Him what He has said to us, we repeat what is most true and sure. Most true and sure is His name, which He put upon us with the water of Baptism. The rhythm of earthly worship is from God to us, and then from us to God. His way is to give His gifts, and together we receive and extol them. We build up one another teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord. (COLOSSIANS 3:16). Our Lord gives us His body to eat and His blood to drink, and finally His blessing moves us out into our vocations where His gifts have their fruition.
