The Holy Cross
The Holy Cross
The holy cross is a very important and very familiar symbol in the Christian faith.
The cross that hangs against the red brick wall in the main sanctuary of my home church (A.P. Shaw United Methodist) has aroused my curiosity since I was a child. As long as I can remember this enormous wooden cross has hung there overlooking the congregation as if Christ himself was keeping watch. Directly beneath the cross is an altar holding a Holy Bible, candles, a prayer box and brass jars filled with oil. During the special Christian holidays such as Christmas, Lent and Passover the cross is decorated to reflect the observance. The cross has always been use to represent the victory of Jesus Christ over death and sin. The unblemished cross that hangs in the main sanctuary gives me inspiration and is a constant reminder of the suffering that Christ bore for me. Not only has the cross inspired me, it is also the inspiration for the design of the church; the main sanctuary is the body, the out stretched arms are the east and west wings of the church. This symbol of suffering and shame is as tall as it is wide. The illuminating light that shines from behind the cross emits rays of hope. Even when the sanctuary is completely dark you can see the light covering the entire main sanctuary. People passing by at night time can see the illuminated cross form the street, though the double grass doors of the sanctuary. As a child I would ask my grandmother, “Why does the light stay on all night?” She replied, “So when people pass by they can see the light of God and have hope.” However, after a rash of break-ins the pastor decided to turn the light out. As a child I was amazed at how the trustees would meticulously clean the cross with Murphy’s Oil. For the age of the cross it’s in great condition. According the Church Historian it has been in
The holy cross is a very important and very familiar symbol in the Christian faith.
The cross that hangs against the red brick wall in the main sanctuary of my home church (A.P. Shaw United Methodist) has aroused my curiosity since I was a child. As long as I can remember this enormous wooden cross has hung there overlooking the congregation as if Christ himself was keeping watch. Directly beneath the cross is an altar holding a Holy Bible, candles, a prayer box and brass jars filled with oil. During the special Christian holidays such as Christmas, Lent and Passover the cross is decorated to reflect the observance. The cross has always been use to represent the victory of Jesus Christ over death and sin. The unblemished cross that hangs in the main sanctuary gives me inspiration and is a constant reminder of the suffering that Christ bore for me. Not only has the cross inspired me, it is also the inspiration for the design of the church; the main sanctuary is the body, the out stretched arms are the east and west wings of the church. This symbol of suffering and shame is as tall as it is wide. The illuminating light that shines from behind the cross emits rays of hope. Even when the sanctuary is completely dark you can see the light covering the entire main sanctuary. People passing by at night time can see the illuminated cross form the street, though the double grass doors of the sanctuary. As a child I would ask my grandmother, “Why does the light stay on all night?” She replied, “So when people pass by they can see the light of God and have hope.” However, after a rash of break-ins the pastor decided to turn the light out. As a child I was amazed at how the trustees would meticulously clean the cross with Murphy’s Oil. For the age of the cross it’s in great condition. According the Church Historian it has been in