Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The Legend of the Dogwood


I love the colors of spring, and the reappearance of flowers and flowering trees.  Red buds, forsythia, magnolia and the lovely dogwood. Many years ago, during this beautiful season, when life awakens from its long winter slumber, a legend arose concerning the dogwood and its blossoms. I thought today would be a perfect time to share it with you.

At the time of Our Lord’s Crucifixion, the dogwood used to have the size of the oak and other forest trees. Because the wood was so firm and strong and there were few trees in the Middle East that were very large, it was chosen to be the wood for the crosses used in crucifixions of criminals. Thus, the wood of the cross that would bear Our Lord and Savior was made from the dogwood tree. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose, however, greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Christ said to it: “Because of your compassion and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth, you shall be slender and bent and twisted and your blossoms shall be in the form of a cross. “On the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, and the center of the flower will resemble the cruel crown of thorns placed on My head, with bright red clusters once again recalling the blood I shed. Thus, all who see this will remember Me.”

 In our jaded age, most people don’t look for the Creator in creation, but back when this was written, they did.  The delicate flowers reminded them in a sweet, simple way of the glory of the cross. The next time you walk out your back door, or take a hike through the woods, look around you and see God. “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20.



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