Legend of the Dogwood

An old and beautiful legend says that, at the time of the crucifixion,
the dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs
of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength it was selected
as the timber for the cross, but to be put to such a cruel use
greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus
in his gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all said to it:
"Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again
will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross.
Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms
will be in the form of a cross ~ two long and two short petals.
In the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be
nail prints ~ brown with rust and stained with red ~ and in the center
of the flower will be a crown of thorns,
and all who see this will remember."
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The Legend
of the Dogwood Tree

When Christ was on earth,
The dogwood grew to a
Towering size with lovely hue.
Its branches were strong and interwoven
And for Christ's cross
Its timbers were chosen.
Being distressed at the use of this wood,
Christ made a promise
Which still holds good:

"Not ever again shall the dogwood grow
To be large enough for such a tree,
And so slender and twisted
It shall always be with cross-shaped Blossoms for all to see.
The petals shall have bloodstains
Marked in brown and in the
Blossom's center a thorny crown.
All who see it will think of Me,
Nailed to a cross from the dogwood tree.
Protected and cherished this tree shall be
A reflection to all of my agony."

-Author Unknown
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Many years ago, a dogwood tree grew on a hill outside Jerusalem. In those days, the dogwood tree was as tall
and mighty as an oak, and this tree was the tallest of all the dogwoods, and extremely proud of its strength.

"Something wonderful is going to happen to me," it said to anyone who would listen. "I'll probably become the mast that holds the big sail on a grand ship, or the main timber supporting a great house."

Unfortunately, the huge old dogwood was cut down to become the cross to which Jesus was nailed. The tree was horrified. All its dreams of glory were smashed, and it groaned in agony as two boards
from its trunk were nailed together.

Jesus took pity on the tree, even as he carried it to Calvary. "You will never be put to such use again," He told it. "From this day on, your shape will change, even as will the world. You will become
slender and sway easily with the breeze. And instead of acorns, you will bear flowers in the shape of a cross... with
two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal,
there will be nail prints... brown with rust and red with bloodstains to show the world how you have suffered."

"Last of all, the center of your flowers will be marked as though with a crown of thorns to remind people forevermore, that you and I spent our last moments together." And so it was. And so it is.

~ Author Unknown ~
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Precious's Gma
Dogwoods have always been our favorite spring flower.
The deep south is full of dogwoods growing everywhere.
The fragrance floats on gently spring breezes. As a
young girl, I'd read the Legends of the Dogwood.
Still my favorite spring flower. Now as a mature
lady, I can not look upon them, without wiping the
glistening tears from my eyes. Appreciating the
total sacrifice, Jesus made for humanity. I am so
Blessed to be a Child of God. May you have a
Blessed Easter.