Easter blooms

I love flowers. I always have. I love their different colors, shapes, sizes, scents, and the way they can brighten any day. I also love that different species bloom in different capacities and volumes from a single-stemmed wildflower to an entire blooming tree like the Dogwood. I have always loved Dogwoods. I cannot tell you why exactly but I think they are simply beautiful. Who doesn’t love a nice big blooming tree of dogwoods?!

Image can be found at: www.botanicartist.com

On another note (a rather close one) I have also always loved Van Gogh’s Almond Branches in Bloom. I never realized until recently how similar the branches and blooms resembled that of dogwoods.

On January 31, 1890 [my birthday-100 years later of course! Ha], Theo [Van Gogh’s younger brother] wrote to Vincent [Van Gogh] of the birth of his son, whom he had named Vincent Willem. Van Gogh, who was extremely close to his younger brother, immediately set about making him a painting of his favorite subject: blossoming branches against a blue sky. The gift was meant to hang over the couple’s bed. As a symbol of this new life, Vincent chose an almond tree, which blooms early in southern regions, announcing the coming spring as early as February.

-from online source: Van Gogh Museum
Image can be found at: www.vangoghpaintings.net

What beautiful meaning and symbolism!

(You should know that last year I decided that I wanted to paint my own set of Almond/Dogwood branches and used Van Gogh’s Almond Branches as my inspiration. It didn’t go so well and to this day a 30” x 40” canvas abides in the closet that is underneath the stairs at my parents’.)

Squirrel.

Image can be found at: www.zonkio.com

Did you know that various aspects of the crucifixion can be seen and symbolized by a dogwood flower?

The CROSS is represented by the cross formation of the flower's four petals.

An unmistakable mark, or point, can be seen on the outer edge of each petal, representative of Jesus’ bloodstained NAIL scars.

The center of the flower resembles THE CROWN OF THORNS that was planted on His head.

The berries, or fruit, of a Dogwood are a dark crimson color representing the BLOOD that Jesus shed to wash away our sins, making them ‘white as snow’.

The Dogwood is a flowering TREE; Jesus was nailed to cross made from a TREE.
Image can be found at: http://www.visualforces.com/

Image can be found at: http://gardening.about.com/

This past Sunday we celebrated Easter. Easter marks the 3rd most important day in Christ’s life here on Earth: his birth, his death, and his resurrection. If God had not sent His only Son to be born of a virgin, He would not have died on the cross to cover mine and your sins. If Christ had not lived a sinless life yet still died for our sins, He could not have been dead and buried for three days. If He had not been dead and buried for three days He could not have been resurrected. If He had not been resurrected He could not save those who have put their faith and trust in Him and we would be no better of than if He had never been born at all.

Image can be found at: http://blog.pennlive.com/

I hope and pray that you know Jesus personally as your Lord and Savior. If you do, share His free gift of eternal life to everyone you know! We are called to do so. And if you do not know Him find someone who does and ask them why they have not shared The Good News with you yet. If you cannot find anyone there are plenty of people at your fingertips: your local Christian radio station and Christian churches all have people ready and waiting to talk to you.

We used to take Easter Day pictures in front of a Dogwood tree in my Grandparents’ yard. When I find one of the pictures I will add it here!