An old and beautiful legend has it that, at the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus in his gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all said to it:
"Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross.
Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms will be in the form of a cross ~ two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints ~ brown with rust and stained with red ~ and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember."
~ Author Unknown
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9 comments:
This is a lovely story, Joey. I hadn't heard it before. I wish you and yours a joyous, and peaceful, Easter.
Hi, Joey, when I was a little girl my Grandfather sent me a postcard with this story on it, and I was very touched that he would do that. Ever since I have always associated this story with him. Thank you for the reminder. Easter blessings, Kathryn
Hi Jodi ... I'm always haunted by a lovely story. My mother was 'the greatest story teller in the world'. It is in her honor that I write ... if never heard by the world, they are heard by her, which is enough for me.
Easter blessing to you, dear Kathryn. Perhaps 'kindred souls', you have been a new found gift.
I just love coming back and looking at your photos! Those dogwood closeups are beautiful.
Well done, Joey. I've heard this story since I was knee-high to a grasshopper ( about 6 in human years ) !
My home state Alabama has a lot of dogwoods but Tennessee has been dubbed the "dogwood State. "
A blessed Easter to you .
I've heard the story before and it is very appropriate for the Easter Holiday. Thanks for sharing! I hope you don't mind but I put a link to it in a post.
Thanks desiree ... I love that dogwood ~ a 'surviver' hammered for over 35 years by icy broken limbs from the old elm overhead. Those shots were from last spring (we had 6 more inches of snow last night).
Greetings Carolyn ... I have always had a passion for dogwoods and that story. Besides 'my hardy friend', I have several Kousa dogwoods. Hope you weren't lambasted by last night's snowfall! A blessed Easther to you also.
Not at all, Dave, I'm honored ... thanks for visiting. Happy Easter!
Just beautiful. Love the photos as a collage. Happy Easter. He is risen!~~Dee
Thanks for visiting and the kind comments. Easter Blessings!
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