The Legend Of The Dogwood

This is the church I went to when I was growing up, was baptized here ~ the First Congregational Church ~ many good memories about this church, youth fellowship, church socials & dinners, and the Easter sunrise services. The sunrise service was always held atop a big hill about 5-6 miles south of town. We called it Wagner's Hill, a tough climb in the pre-dawn hours, but to see the sunrise from atop Wagner's Hill on Easter morning was a beautiful thing.

The Legend Of The Dogwood

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 so. 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 a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember."

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Martina McBride ~ How Great Thou Art