"From Christmas Tree to Cross"
by Pr. Jens A. Dale

We had a wonderful Christmas tree at Mindekirken this year. It symbolized the tree of life in the garden of Eden. The newborn King, baby Jesus, predicts that the gates to paradise will be opened again. But there is a long way to go from the birth of Jesus to everlasting life for mankind. This way goes through the suffering of Christ. To symbolize that, the Christmas tree was stripped of its branches, and on Ash Wednesday it was placed back in the church, now formed as a cross. At its foot, Mike Mattson, who is in charge of this project, has made a hill commemorating Golgatha. Throughout lent, new features will be added to the cross, and on Good Friday, a black cloth and two spears will speak silently of the suffering of Christ. This was done last year too, and some people felt strongly that the cross added to their worship experience.

Last year, the cross was part of the presentation of Easter traditions at Vesterheim’s Nordic Brunch. I’ll never forget the moment of total silence over 600 people in the Great Banquet Hall at the Radisson Hotel, when Mike and Alex Bjørn (Boskovic) carefully lifted a black cloth on two spears, and hung it on the cross.

Easter day is a time of victory, joy and celebration. Then the cross will be fully decorated with white lilies, triumphantly stating that Jesus lives.

Church architecture, light, decorations and all the non-linguistic language we use at church make a whole lot of difference. To develop the aesthetic aspect is a meaningful part of our worship life.