This photograph was taken a few years ago. It was Easter at my family's Episcopal church. Jackson (he was five!) and his cousin, C, are "flowering the cross". I love the tradition of all the families bringing azaleas, camellias, and dogwoods from their yards to decorate the large cross outside the church. Then, when we are all inside, the beautiful hymns of "Jesus Christ is Risen Today!", "Hail Thee, Festival Day", and "Welcome Happy Morning" bring tears to my eyes.
This week I am looking forward to Holy Week: Maundy Thursday's stripping of the alter and foot-washing, and then Good Friday service. The darkness and somberness of those days prepares me for the Happy Morning this photograph conveys.
So precious I can't stand it! I love Holy Week!
ReplyDeleteHave a great Easter!!
ReplyDeleteHow is your foot?
What a sweet picture! We have the same tradition at our church where people bring flowers from their home gardens and a large cross is adorned with the community's blooms...I just love it. And I agree with you that Holy Week allows you toreflect and really celebrate with such joy on Easter Sunday!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your sweet, sweet comment yesterday Bevy - made my day! XOXO
What a precious pic! I am a cradle Episcopalian and these hymns bring tears to my eyes too!
ReplyDeleteI adore this picture...so cute!!! Those flowers are gorgeous and I love this tradition too. I agree with you about Holy Week-what an incredible way to reflect and prepare for the amazing joy of Easter morning.
ReplyDeleteWill you be in Columbia or are you staying in Aiken? Have a great day?
What a wonderful tradition with the flowering of the cross! I found myself getting somewhat emotional walking into church on Palm Sunday. After a number of songs, a single drummer played during the processional. Very powerful. Hope you and your family have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool tradition- darling darling picture!
ReplyDeleteI love flowering the cross. Worried our azaleas will not be ready by Sunday. The camellias are just about gone. Wish I had the landscapers from the Augusta National to help me out. Anything is possible w/our Heavenly Landscaper.
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful and inspiring post! With an amazing pic!
ReplyDeleteI think it's so easy to get lost in the whole "The Bunny is coming" excitement...your post is a nice reminder of what the holiday is truly about...thank you.
Such a sweet photo ~ they are adorable! I too enjoy holy week and all that it offers as we approach Easter morning.
ReplyDeleteHope your foot is feeling better.
Jo
Did you get my email?
So enjoyed this photo and am more than ready this spring for Easter celebration just around the corner. A friend of mine does a really-neat window box garden in one of the windows at St. Helena's Episcopal and I always look for her Celtic cross and woodsy plants when I go into the service...really unique within a profusion of flowers which are also so pretty.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter! And oh, I forgot to tell you earlier that I LOVE Kanuga and go up there every year in the autumn for our church retreat :) Best, Lachlan
They are absolutely darling! Happy Easter to you:)
ReplyDeleteLove the photo, look at the sunshine...Easter should be about sunshine, sadly this year we have gloom-- ho hum. I had not heard anyone mentioned the Episcopal church for some time as we are in the UK, just another reminder of home comforts that I will be enjoying soon. Happy Easter.
ReplyDeleteSo glad your foot is fine!!!! Have a beautiful and blessed Holy week and Easter!
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