Have you grown up with a stained glass memory? Many of us can remember the first time we experienced the treat of watching the sun pour in through one of these colored glass windows. There is absolutely nothing like it. This wonderful sight stirs the imagination and therefore creates a memory that cannot be erased.
Stained glass windows have decorated churches throughout the world for many, many years. These windows are used to enhance the radiance of the church, depict Biblical stories, and portray the image of Christ and the cross. As children, we entered these places of worship and were filled with awe at their beauty and majesty. Our minds wandered thinking of the stories and people that were represented in the glass. We became excited as we watched the sun shine in and bounce colors off the walls. We continued to watch as the sun would go behind the clouds, the windows would darken and their appearances change. Patiently we waited for the sun to peek out again, knowing how wonderful it was to watch the windows and the images they portrayed come to life. Stained glass memories filled our minds.
Beginning in the Victorian era, people started decorating their homes with these amazing windows and in the last hundred years or so this trend has become quite popular. I grew up in a turn of the century two story house and we were blessed to have both a leaded glass door with leaded transoms on each side and also two stained glass windows adorning the living and dining areas. I loved these windows as a child. I especially loved how the sun created dozens of brilliant rainbows on our parquet floors. My imagination would run wild staring into the abstract stained windows as I would always see the face of a lion in one of them. It was so exciting and mysterious watching how the brightness of the sun and the time of day would change the appearance of these windows. Stained glass memories filled my mind.
Fortunately my parents still live in that old house and now, when we visit, my children have the opportunity to delight in the rainbows on the floors and make their own special stained glass memories. Although my imagination isn’t what it used to be as a child, I still adore the beauty and life that these unique windows bring into their environments.
Stained glass windows have decorated churches throughout the world for many, many years. These windows are used to enhance the radiance of the church, depict Biblical stories, and portray the image of Christ and the cross. As children, we entered these places of worship and were filled with awe at their beauty and majesty. Our minds wandered thinking of the stories and people that were represented in the glass. We became excited as we watched the sun shine in and bounce colors off the walls. We continued to watch as the sun would go behind the clouds, the windows would darken and their appearances change. Patiently we waited for the sun to peek out again, knowing how wonderful it was to watch the windows and the images they portrayed come to life. Stained glass memories filled our minds.
Beginning in the Victorian era, people started decorating their homes with these amazing windows and in the last hundred years or so this trend has become quite popular. I grew up in a turn of the century two story house and we were blessed to have both a leaded glass door with leaded transoms on each side and also two stained glass windows adorning the living and dining areas. I loved these windows as a child. I especially loved how the sun created dozens of brilliant rainbows on our parquet floors. My imagination would run wild staring into the abstract stained windows as I would always see the face of a lion in one of them. It was so exciting and mysterious watching how the brightness of the sun and the time of day would change the appearance of these windows. Stained glass memories filled my mind.
Fortunately my parents still live in that old house and now, when we visit, my children have the opportunity to delight in the rainbows on the floors and make their own special stained glass memories. Although my imagination isn’t what it used to be as a child, I still adore the beauty and life that these unique windows bring into their environments.
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