The Legend of the Dogwood

Long ago, of all the forest trees that towered strong and tall, the dogwood stood above the rest. The stateliest tree of all. This was the tree the soldiers stood on Calvary's bare hillside, cut down and carved into the cross on which the Savior died.

But Jesus blessed the dogwood so now it is a low-branched tree and bending earthward for the smallest child to see. Each of it's cross-shaped blossoms bear four trusty nailprints stained with red.

And the heart of every blossom is like the thorns which crowned his head. And though this tree reminds us of the sorrows on that hill, each spring, its life and beauty show that Christ lives with us still.