The Nativity

First Window Grouping on the Left entering the Nave

Left Panel

This panel represents the Annunciation, when Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she was to become the mother of Christ. The Dove represents the Holy Spirit which filled her when she learned of this great honor.

The Fleur-de-Lis, or lily, symbolic of purity, represents Mary.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Center Panel

The manger denotes the humbleness of Christ’s birth, with the Chi Rho (“Ki-Row” - Greek letters symbolizing Christ), a symbol of Christ, above it. Both are flooded with light from the Star of Bethlehem.

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

Right Panel

The three crowns represent the wise men or kings who came from a distant land to worship and present gifts to the newborn Christ-Child.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:1-2

The Presentation

Second Window Grouping on the Left

Left Panel

In keeping with Jewish tradition, the infant Jesus was presented to the High Priest in the temple, symbolized by the Star of David. The two doves represent gifts traditionally given to the priest at this time.  

“And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’)” Luke 2:22-23

Center Panel

Jesus is symbolized by the Chi Rho while Joseph is represented by the carpenter’s square. The lily, a symbol of purity, represents Mary, who was pure—a virgin. The pyramids and palms are relative to the land of Egypt.

“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’” Matthew 2:13

Right Panel

The lamp of knowledge reminds us of that knowledge which the boy Jesus imparted to the teachers in the temple (symbolized by the scroll).

“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Luke 2:46-47

The Baptisim of Jesus

Third Window Grouping on the Left

The “I Am” Windows

Located in the Chapel

Left Panel

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD”

The red staff refers to Christ as our Shepherd who watches over us an has laid down His life for us.

The lamb represents us. And we, as His sheep, have no need to fear, for He is always present with us.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15

Center Panel

“I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE”

The torch with flame represents “the Light of the World.” Through this “Light” we come to know God’s Word, and God’s Word is “Truth”.

The Bible is opened to show that only if we “use” and “believe” in His Word will we find “The Way” to eternal life.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Right Panel

“I AM THE ALPHA AND OMEGA”

The Alpha and the Omega are the beginning and ending letters of the Greek alphabet, like our “A” and “Z”. These letters are used as reminders the our Lord is the beginning and the ending of all life.

“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” Revelation 1:8

Left Panel

“I AM THE DOOR”

The red staff refers to Christ as our Shepherd who watches over us an has laid down His life for us.

The lamb represents us. And we, as His sheep, have no need to fear, for He is always present with us.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Center Panel

“I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD”

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12

Right Panel

“I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE”

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’” John 6:35

The Miracles of Jesus

Third Window Grouping on the Right after the Chapel

Left Panel

Jesus’ first miracle was the changing of water into wine at the Wedding of Cana.

“When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom” John 2:9.

Christian marriage is symbolized by the entwined rings, which are superimposed over the Chi Rho (XP monogram for Christ made up of the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ).

Center panel

The hands of our Lord are shown in a healing gesture—healing the blind man as well as others.

“In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.” Luke 7:21-22

Right panel

The two fishes and five loaves recall the miracle of Jesus’ feeding the 5,000—when He took the fish and loaves, blessed them, and placed them before the crowd.

“And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.” Matthew 14:20-21

The Entry Into Jerusalem

Second Window Grouping on the Right after the Chapel

Left Panel

The cross and the orb symbolize Jesus’ death on the cross for the sins of the whole world. The palm branches recall Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

“Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.” Matthew 21:8

Center panel

The whip represents Jesus’ cleansing of the temple soon after His triumphal entry.

“And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold,” Luke 19:45.

The money bag and pieces of silver depict Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.

“Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.” Matthew 26:14-15

Right panel

The Chi Rho is a monogram of the first two letters, Chi (X) and Rho (P), of the Greek word for Christ. The Chi Rho and the chalice or cup symbolize Christ in the Sacrament of His body and blood.

The Words of Institution may be found in Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-25, and Luke 22:19-20.

The twelve tiny crosses throughout these panels represent the chosen apostles. The purple cross represents Judas, the betrayer.

Luke 22:21-22

The Garden of Gethsemane

First Window Grouping on the Right in the Nave

Left Panel

Christ’s hands are reaching to accept His task; He must drink the cup of His Father’s judgement on man’s sin.

The red cross reminds us of Christ’s prescence in Holy Communion. The red under Christ’s hans reminds us of the blood He shed for us.

“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’” Matthew 26:39

Luke 22:42

Center panel

The initials of Jesus Christ in Greek—the Chi Rho—entwined with rope symbolizes the indiginity Jesus suffered as He was dragged before the crowd, bound as a common thief.

“And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate.” Mark 15:1

“Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him.” John 19:1

Matthew 27:27-31

Right panel

The basin and hands indicate Pontius Pilate and his attempt to show himself blameless to the crowd.

“So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.’” Matthew 27:24

The Passion Window

Located in the Chancel

All symbols in this window refer to our Lord’s Passion.

The Center Cross

The cross is the reminder of God’s saving work of redeeming mankind through Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins, a sacrifice which brings to us forgiveness and salvation.

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8

“the cross of Glory”

The cross of glory symbolizes the glory of Christ received from His Father for His perfect obedience to Him.

“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“The Empty Cross”

This same cross is empty, reminding us that Christ is now living.

“Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” John 14:19

“the Red Cross”

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

Scourge - Left Top

The Roman weapon by which Jesus was beaten before his crucifixion is represented in this panel. The scourge was a club with cords. These cords were knotted with bones or heavy circles of indented bronze.

“So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” Mark 15:15

Severed Ear - Left Center

In the Garden of Gethsemane while Jesus was being arrested by the crowd from the Chief Priests and elders of the people, Peter cut off the ear of the slave of the High Priest with his sword.

“Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)” John 18:10

Rooster - Left Lower

This section represents Peter’s three denials of Jesus before the rooster crowed on the morning of Jesus’ crucifixion.

“But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about.’ And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.’” Luke 22:60-61

Matthew 26:34

The Passion Window

The crown of thorns:

Located in the center of the cross, the crown of thorns symbolizes the mockery and suffering Jesus bore when he was on trial before Pilate.

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.” Matthew 27:27-31

Mark 15:16-20; John 19:2

Nails - Right Top Panel

The nails remind us of those driven through the hands and crossed feet of Jesus when he was crucified on Calvary.

“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.” Luke 23:33

“So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’” John 20:25

Robe - Right Center

Jesus, “King of the Jews”, had been stripped of the garment which he wore. The, Pilate mocked Him by having Him dressed in a royal purple robe and having Him stand before the Jews to also receive mockery from them.

“And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and struck him with their hands.” John 19:2-3

Matthew 27:28; Mark 15:16-20

Dice - Right Lower

The dice represent the casting of lots by the Roman soldiers at Calvary to decide whom would get Jesus’ seamless robe.

“And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.” Matthew 27:35

Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23-24

The Resurrection Window

Located in the Balcony

Top Panel

The crown and sceptre symbolize the Kingship of our Lord.

“The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land.” Psalms 10:16

“On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:16

Left panel

The dove engulfed in flames, refers to the Holy Spirit’s decent upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, instilling them with the power to speak in many tongues, enabling them to convey the Word of God to all people.

“And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:3-4

Left Center Panel

The empty tomb with unfurled banner refers to Jesus’ victory over death—the resurrection.

“And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.’” Luke 24:5-7

Matthew 28:6

Right Center Panel

The fiery chariot symbolizes our Lord’s Ascension.

“While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” Luke 24:51

Right Panel

This panel represents the New Jerusalem—the Golden City. The trumpets represent the Second Coming of Christ.

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” Revelation 21:10-11