As you walk into our church narthex, this cross is prominently displayed . The cross is draped in purple for Lent. Then when you walk into the Sanctuary, front and center, above the altar is another cross, draped in purple. These are reminders that we are in the season of Lent.
When we lived in New Mexico, a cross such as the one seen in the narthex always appeared during Lent. This cross was made from Christmas trees, that had been saved and stripped of their branches and nailed together. This is done as a reminder that Christmas and Easter are connected. Jesus came to earth on Christmas for the sole purpose of dying on Good Friday and redeeming me (and you), a lost and condemned person.
This week I would like to share a hymn that I think of when I see the cross.
In The Cross of Christ I Glory
In the cross of Christ I glory, Tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time. All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime.
When the woes of life o’ertake me, Hopes deceive, and fears annoy, Never shall the cross forsake me; Lo, it glows with peace and joy.
When the sun of bliss is beaming Light and love upon my way, From the cross the radiance streaming Adds more luster to the day.
Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure By the cross are sanctified; Peace is there that knows no measure, Joys that through all time abide.
(public domain)
Visit A House Upon the Rock and Trish to read what others are thinking during the Lenten Season.
4 comments:
Jill,
What a neat idea for that one church to use an old Christmas tree stripped of the green! I konw that the use of ashes from the palms blessed and used on Palm Sunday has always been an interesting connection in my mind as well.
That really is a great idea, to use the Christmas tree. Thanks for the post and the hymn.
I love seeing the cross in the narthex and all the purple in the sanctuary. There is an awesomeness about it. Even Jasmine noticed all the purple today and was in awe :)
I do not know how I missed commenting last week. I am sorry. I stopped by and some how missed saying, "hi and thank you for participating with us."
I miss being a part of a church that "dresses up" for Easter. Our last church building type church had a banner change, cross set up and on Good Friday that sanctuary was take over by stations of the Cross. It was beautiful.
Please forgive for not saying I was here.
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