How long the Story will continue, no one can tell:  a day, a decade, a millennium, or more.  But one day, the return of Christ in glory will occur, and history will be complete.  Time will cease; and eternity, the Great Story, will begin.  Until then, we follow in the steps of these whom we celebrate, our mothers and fathers in the Faith, who have gone before us and paved the way. 

These men and women reflect a wide variety of roles, cultures, churches, and eras.  And yet, their most striking characteristic is not their diversity, but the common thread of their belief.  Take the time to read some of their works, and you will find that the heart of their message is the same.  It is the “mere Christianity” of which C.S. Lewis wrote.  We are able to see this unity whenever we step out of our own age and allow ourselves to be informed by the past.  If we are willing, these saints from other ages will reveal to us what we are blind to in our own.  Yet, they are much more than mere representatives of the past.  They continue with us in unbroken fellowship and comprise with us the mystical Body of Christ, the Communion of Saints.  We join with them, “the company of heaven,” whenever we gather for worship, and they surround us and encourage us as we run the race Christ ha set before each of us.  With us they wait expectantly for the day of Christ’s return, when we shall stand together before the throne of God, an innumerable multitude, from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue.  Then the final scene of the Story shall unfold:  the Last Judgment, where all accounts will be paid, all wrongs be made right, and death the last enemy, will be destroyed.  The hints of what lie beyond this finale fill our souls with hope and longing.  The New Creation will be revealed, God himself will wipe all tears from our eyes, and the Church, cleansed and clothed in splendor, will be united with Christ. 

Through this window we see the saints in heaven (as stars) and on earth (in brown), with the stars reflecting the Creation window, as well.  As in the beginning, Christ made all things, so in the end he will make all things new. 

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints.  Amen.”

Like Stars Appearing:  The Story of the Stained Glass Windows of St. George's Episcopal Church, Dayton, Ohio
copyright 2004 by Anne E. Rowland.  All rights reserved.
Stained Glass Windows copyright 2000 by St. George's Episcopal Church, crafted by Willet Stained Glass.