Madonna and Child Window
Designed by Charles Booth (1895)
This window is divided into three sections: the lamb with the Resurrection banner, the Madonna and Child and the seemingly unrelated biblical passages. But, the whole is bound together by the Madonna lilies and the images of incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection.
The Agnus Dei or Lamb of God is seen above with the banner signifying the Resurrection.
The center panel is delicate yet powerfully laden with images of the incarnation and the passion. Overhead, angels watch the drama to unfold. The Virgin cradles the Child protectively and looks both pained and compassionate. The Christ child is positioned in a cruciform fashion – arms outstretched. In the background, is seen a city and a barren hill outside the walls. Throughout the center panel are found flora associated with the Virgin:
Our Lady’s Tears, lily of the valley
Our Lady’s Seal, Solomon’s Seal
The Madonna Lily, Lily of the Annunciation
Our Lady’s Hari, Maddens Hair
Rosemary
Our Lady’s Eyes, forget-me-nots
The passages in the lower panel bring to mind the events compressed into the middle panel:
John 3: 16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Luther called this verse “the Gospel in miniature.” “IHS” is the symbol for the name of Jesus.
Below the memorial to Paul Cameron Jr. who died as a three-year old child, is a verse from Isaiah 11:6:
“…a little child shall lead them…”
It is the prophetic promise that God would raise a “root of Jesse” to stand for an “ensign of the people”.
