Stained Glass

I have always appreciated the beauty of stained glass windows. Every time I hear of stained glass windows being destroyed by bombs in a war, I am distraught. What is there about light streaming through their colored glass that touches one's soul? Even the simple squares of colored glass in the hospital corridors brings a sense of peace and comfort.



The church where I worked in Champaign, IL had a gorgeous rose window above the chancel area. One day I mentioned my desire for the window to be lighted at night for the world to see, for passersby to be reminded of all the beauty and wonder God built into his world. Suddenly, a project was underway, a light was installed outside so that when we were having evening services we would see the cobalt blues, the brilliant reds and warm yellows of the window rather than a black round nothing.



I was so touched I pulled together a RoseLight concert series. After all, beauty begets beauty, and what better coupling than music and stained glass? It was wonderful to listen to excellent sound while bathing in the joyous light.



For our Christmas cantata this year, I asked the music librarian if she would put together a powerpoint that would go along with our music. We are doing 4 vignettes of Christmas carols, and I had thought maybe she could find a picture of each carol's music to project as we sang. She looked for that, but couldn't find many. Instead, she decided to select pictures of stained glass windows that depicted the scene or story of each carol.



Tonight I got to preview the presentation. It was wonderful! I had no idea stained glass windows existed in so many different shapes and colors, not to mention portraying so many scenes, so many Biblical friezes! And each one matches the carol we are singing. In addition, during the narrations, she added pictures of the stained glass windows that used to be in their building! Local color if you will.



I am looking forward to putting the sights and sounds together. I hope people will be uplifted and blessed. She and I agree that someday we would like to see these windows up close and actual. Maybe next year!