My first thought for the photo challenge “radiant” issued by Jansen Photo was of a bride glowing on her wedding day.  New parents gazing at their new bundle joy also came to mind.  Then I thought of family and beautiful smiles at special events.  While looking for smiles in the electronic files I was sidetracked by pictures of stained-glass windows.

Stained Glass Window at Parking Lot Entry, Trinity UCC, Quincy, IL.  Photo: TLClark, 6/9/19

The first photo was taken on the Pentecost Sunday my youngest niece was confirmed.  I was struck by the dove at the top, the red glass, and the flames of fire – all symbols of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  The blue glass makes me think of Baptism which is closely associated with Confirmation.  The tree (could it be a vine?) and the branches remind me of Jesus (“I am the vine and you are the branches.”  John 15:5).  The butterflies  symbolize resurrection and new life.  Is the owl there for wisdom?  Are the three eggs in the bird’s nest a symbol of the Trinity?

The next photo is of a window in the sanctuary at the same church.  You can see greenery and grass through the clearer grass at the bottom of the window.

Stained Glass Window – Tree, Trinity UCC, Quincy, IL.  Photo: TLClark, 6/9/19.

The most radiant window that I’ve photographed in the age of digital cameras was at a church I served in eastern Iowa.  Here it is on an Easter Sunday.

Rose Window on Easter, Faith UCC, Muscatine, Iowa.  Photo: TLClark, 4/12/12.