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Window of the Month
Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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Window

Building Name: Mayflower Congregational Church

Studio Name: Omnibus Studios

City: Lansing

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Date of Window: 1976

Subject/Title of Window: The Nativity

Brief Description of Subject: The birth of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel according to Luke. This window design is based on the familiar and much-loved story of the birth of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel according to Luke. It was donated by Orlin and Jean Bender to honor their sons: Michael D., Brian A., Gary L., and Steven L. Bender, and was dedicated on September 19, 1976. The design is a contemporary version of the Madonna and Child. Against a purple background, the golden Christmas Star shines down upon the Mother and Baby. In the foreground are the three gifts of the Magi: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gold symbolizes the royalty and majesty of the Baby as the descendant of David, the King. Frankincense is for use in worshipping God. Myrrh was a burial spice and represents the coming death of Christ. In the lower right foreground is a red symbol composed of the two Greek letters Chi (X ) and Rho (P) superimposed and enclosed in a circle. These two letters are the first letters in the Greek word Christos (meaning “the anointed” or “the chosen”), from which we get the work Christ. In each corner is a gold form which looks like an “X”. This might be another Chi or a St. Andrew’s cross. An early legend says that Andrew, one of the twelve disciples, was crucified on a cross with this configuration. Both symbols became symbols for Christ early in church history. The colors associated with Mary predominate in this window: white, gold, silver, and blue. White symbolizes holiness; gold (and the purple of the star and the gifts) represents majesty; silver and blue represent purity. Installed Aug. 4, 1976. Artists Richard Hanley and Mark Taleba. Installation by Omnibus Studios, Okemos, MI.

Condition of Window: Excellent

Height: 80"

Width: 45"

Type of Glass and Technique: Slab or Faceted Glass (Dalle de Verre)

The Nativity
The Nativity

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