2  Christ in the Temple

When Jesus was twelve years old, Joseph and Mary and all the family went up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, as was their custom.  As they were headed home that year, Joseph and Mary discovered that Jesus was missing.  They went back to Jerusalem to find him.  They found him in the temple discoursing with the teachers, and "all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers." (Luke 2:47)  When Mary scolded him, as any mother would, Jesus said, "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49)   This picture shows him teaching-his arm is raised-and the scholars listening intently.  Obviously, even at this age, he "taught them as one having authority."  Mary and Joseph stand in the background, framed by the arch in the wall.  The Hebrew scrolls the scribes hold indicate the learning and tradition of the rabbis, and also Jesus' Jewish heritage.  

The oil lamp above is the lamp of learning, familiar as in the University of Michigan seal.  The Ten Commandments below represent Jewish tradition and law, divided four and six, the first four commandments relating man to God and the latter six man to man.

Baptism of Christ

John the Baptist is shown baptizing Jesus in the Jordan "and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove."  (Luke 3:21-22)   

Below there is the symbol of three fish in a circle.  The fish is one of the very oldest symbols of Christianity, going back at least to the second century, and antedating the cross.  It is said to have been scratched in the dirt at times when Christians were persecuted.  When a Christian wanted to ask someone he met if he were also a Christian, the first would draw an arc in the dust with the toe of his sandal.  If the other person drew
a second arc making a stylized fish (the stylized fish you sometimes see on cars these days), that proclaimed him a Christian also.  The fish was very familiar to the early disciples, several of whom had been fishermen, when Jesus called them saying, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."  (Matthew 4:19)  

There are three fish.  Three clearly represents the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and threes are ubiquitous in Christian art.  There were three roses in the Nativity window; there are three lilies below the Blessing of the Children.  The circle, an unbroken line, represents eternity, or everlasting life.

At the top we again have the Lamb with the Resurrection Banner.

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