Window 1b: The Nativity

Window 1b:  Unto you is born this day
a savior which is Christ, the Lord" (Luke 2:11)

 The second panel in Window 1 illustrates the nativity.  In the center medallion we see the holy family. Mary is kneeling and now has a gold halo, perhaps representing her royalty as the mother of Christ.

 Joseph is likewise wearing gold-shaded clothing, and he holds a staff with a lily at its top--possibly a link to the companion window panel, or perhaps a reminder of the purity of this miraculous birth.

At the apex of the medallion, we see some straw, reminding us of the stable and Christ’s humble birth, while a star shines down on the Christ child, who lies at the center of the medallion in a manger.  

Note that Christ's halo is different from the others -- it has three rays or bars in it.  This type of halo is called the "tri-radiant halo," which signifies the Trinity and is used only for Christ.

While there are no shepherds or wise men in this representation, the star reminds of their presence.  
The shepherds saw "the glory of the Lord" when the angel appeared to them and spoke the good tidings which are the text for this panel, "For unto you is born this day...a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).

The star likewise evokes the wise men, who told Herod, "...we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him" (Matt. 2:2b); when they leave Jerusalem, "the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was" (Matt. 2:9b).

The image chosen for the symbol medallion is the rose, the symbol of messianic promise, as noted in Isaiah 35:1b, "The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." 

The rose also reminds us of Luther's Rose or Seal, especially since it is shown here with five petals and is white, which Luther insisted was the correct color (not red) because white is the color of spirits and angels (see Luther's description of his seal as a summary of the gospel).  Just as Luther directed, the white roses are on a field of blue, "symbolizing that joyful spirit and faith is the beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now but is grasped in hope, not fully revealed" (The Luther Seal).

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for these reminders of your wondrous birth and the joyful hope of our salvation as heralded by the angels to shepherds.  May we also have light to see you more clearly and daily strengthen our hope for heavenly joy.  Amen.

Window 1:  The Annunciation and Nativity

Window Dedication:

Window 1 is Donated in Memory of Mrs. and Mrs. Theodore Berg 

by Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Severson and daughter Constance