1 Prophecy

The first window shows Isaiah before Ahaz, the King of Judah.  Ahaz fears attack from Syria and Israel.  Isaiah tells him “Take heed, be quiet, do not fear … the Lord himself will give you a sign.  Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:1-14)  Below his right hand is the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Fuller’s field.  The king is holding a staff with the Star of David, showing both his kingship and that he is of the house and lineage of David. 

Below are the tools of the prophet, the scroll and the quill. The tongs above hold the burning coal with which one of the seraphim purified Isaiah’s lips. (Is. 6:7)

Nativity

The Nativity window shows Mary, Joseph and the baby.  As he does here, the artist frequently, but not always, gives Jesus a halo, not the stylized circle of the middle ages, but as part of the picture.  In this picture it is formed by the light from Joseph’s lantern.  In his other hand Joseph holds a staff which is leafing out at the top.  The growing staff symbol comes from the early middle ages.  It was said that the suitor of Mary whose staff leafed out would win her hand.  The staff also mirrors the scepter of King Ahaz, because Joseph was also of the house and lineage of David. In the background a donkey and sheep set the scene in a stable.

Below are the gifts of the magi: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  The star above is not the five-pointed star we commonly associate with Christmas, but the six-pointed Star of David.  At the top there are three Christmas Roses, a white, hardy rose that blooms at Christmastide and symbolizes the nativity and Messianic Prophecy, and, of course, white stands for purity.

Continue