The Children’s Window
Designed by Frederick Cole working with George Payne Studios. Installed 1957.
This contemporary window consists of two panels of popular events involving Jesus and children. The upper panel depicts a scene in the earthly life of Jesus. People brought children and infants to him for a blessing, but the disciples rebuked them. The significance of the strong anger of his words elude us ifit were not for the words from which the theme comes:
“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Children have all sorts of qualities, some are desirable and some are not. Jesus taught that the kingdom of God must be looked upon as a gift offered to those who would receive it as such and not an achievement earned or owed. The story and the window speak to us all who, like children, are of desirable and undesirable qualities. In the center of the panel a child presents a daisy symbolizing innocence and a lack of presuppositions. Above Jesus are seen a male and a female angel at the gate of heaven and symbolizing his authority. Note how the side scenes are not strictly children and families, but children and grown children. Of special interest is the child to the right of Jesus. He has brought his toy doll.
The lower panel recreates the miracle story in which Jairus’ daughter is raised from the dead. Again, the theme is innocence and a lack of presuppositions. Jairus, a leader of his people, sought] esus out to visit his home, where his daughter lay near death. Before arriving, news was brought to them that she had died. Immediately, Jesus said, “Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole” (Luke 8:50).
Within her room, the followers began to “mock” Jesus when he said, “she is not dead but sleeping.” The Gospel story is that death is now not the final word. Pride and presuppositions cannot see this, only child-like innocence and wonder.
“But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.”
“When Jesus heard this, he replied, ‘Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.’”
