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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

City: Ypsilanti

Window Shape: 5 (gothic arched, 2 vertical sections)

Date of Window: 1933

Subject/Title of Window: The Nativity/Visit of the Magi

Brief Description of Subject: This window is installed in an area of the narthex that once served as the Baptistery. The scenes in the lancet feature Nativity stories. In the Bible, stories surrounding the birth of Jesus are only found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Their versions cover different aspects of the story, thus the popular Christmas story is actually a combination of the two. The left lancet's scene is from Luke's version while the right lancet's is from Matthew's.

In Luke's version, found in Chapter 2, there was a census being taken and Mary, who was with child, and Joseph, had to go to Bethlehem, the city of David, to be enumerated, as Joseph was born in Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, "she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn" (verses 6 - 7 Douay Rheims). The artist has added an angel to the scene to watch over the Christ Child.

Matthew's version, found in Chapter 2, starts with the visit of Magi. After Jesus was born, during the days of Herod, wise men from the East see a star that is an omen that the king of the Jews has been born. They travel to Jerusalem to ask Herod where the king was born so that they may pay homage to him. After consulting with the priests, Herod tells them that the promised Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. The Magi then depart for Bethlehem and the star guides them to the place where he was born. "And entering the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him, and opening treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh" (verses 11 - 13 Douay Rheims).

Inscriptions: Barbara Ann Showerman


Condition of Window: Good

Height: ~78"

Width: 54"

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass, Lead Came, Vitreous Paint

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