The Legend of the Dogwood

In Jesus' time the dogwood grew

To a stately size and a lovely hue

'Twas strong and firm as oak branches interwoven

For the cross of Christ it's timbers were chosen

Seeing the distress at this use of their wood

Christ made a promise which still holds good

Never again shall the dogwood grow

Large enough to be used so

It shall slender and twisted be

With blossoms like the cross for all to see

As bloodstains the petals marked in brown

The blossoms center shall wear a thorny crown

All who see it will remember me

Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.

Cherished and protected this tree shall be

A reminder of my love and agony.

At the time of crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak tree. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber of the cross. To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree and Jesus nailed upon it sensed this. In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering, Jesus said to the tree, "Because of your regret and pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood grow large enough to be used for a cross again. Henceforth, it shall be slender and bent and twisted and it's blossom's shall be in the form of a cross. Two long and two short petals and 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 will look at the petals and remember what I did for them."   The pink dogwood is said to be blushing for shame because of the cruel purpose. The weeping dogwood further symbolized the sorrow. The red dogwood bears the color to remind us of the blood shed by our Savior. As we see the Dogwood in bloom, let us remember the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His love for us. Let us feel the sorrow, but also let our hearts rejoice, for through Him, we now have life forever.