the legend of the dogwood

we have a beautiful dogwood tree in our front yard, and it makes me think of the legend of the dogwood tree every time i see it.

When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew

to a towering size with a lovely hue.

Its branches were strong and interwoven

and for Christ's cross its timbers were chosen.

Being distressed at the use of the wood,

Christ made a promise which still holds good:

"Not ever again shall the dogwood grow

to be large enough for 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 brown

And in the blossom's center a thorny crown.

All who see it will think of Me,

Nailed to a cross from a dogwood tree.

Protected and cherished this tree shall be

A reflection to all of My agony."

-The Dogwood Tree, Anonymous

i'm not saying that i really believe that the cross came from a dogwood tree {in fact, from what i've read, dogwoods do not grow naturally in israel, jerusalem, or any of the surrounding areas}.  how do i know this, you may ask?  i googled it to see if the legend was really true! :)

however, with all of that being said, the bible DOES say that creation itself proclaims the Lord!, and the dogwood tree reminds me of His sacrifice every time i see it because i know this old legend {even if it's false!} of the dogwood tree.

so i don't really mind it being an old, unreliable legend, because what it does is remind me of that day so long ago when Jesus took on my sins to give me a new life!