Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Visiting the city of Reims (pronounced “Rance”) in the heart of the Champagne region of France, I am unprepared for the depth of spiritual connectedness I discover here.
In the 5th century, Clovis I, the first king of France, was baptized at a church in Reims that was later destroyed by fire in 1210. Its replacement, constructed in the Gothic style over the course of more than a century, is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims. Providing the venue for coronations of all but two French kings, Reims Cathedral hosted other notables as well, including Joan of Arc, who attended the 1429 coronation of King Charles VII.
Over the course of time, the structure of Reims Cathedral suffered damage by several fires and multiple wars. But it is the windows that captivate my attention.
Some of the windows in the cathedral were intentionally destroyed by monks in the 18th century to allow more light to flood into the building. These stained-glass windows were replaced with clear glass containing smaller, less colorful designs. Then came World War I when most of the structure was utterly demolished. Rebuilt by 1938, the cathedral suffered additional damage during World War II, particularly to some of its windows.
I am intrigued with the new and modern replacement windows installed in such an old cathedral. In the apse, in the back of the church, three large and colorful windows catch my attention. They were created by Marc Chagall (1897-1985), a French artist of Russian origin and Jewish descent. A master of European Modernism, Chagall is known for his brilliant use of color. His themes are often spiritual, both Jewish and Christian. Some of his most moving contributions are based in biblical scenes. Having lived through the horrors of both World Wars, his is a message of tolerance, respect, and love.
Working with stained glass allowed Chagall access to a new dimension of light and refraction. I am astonished to learn that although he was already a well-known and established artist, he did not begin working in the medium of stained glass until he was almost 70 years old. For over the next 20 years, Chagall created stained-glass windows in buildings around the world. His light-filled masterpieces can be seen in a synagogue in Jerusalem, throughout various cathedrals and churches across Europe in France, Switzerland, Germany, and the United Kingdom, in a church in New York, and in the Art Institute in Chicago.
As I stand staring at the brightly hued windows, I can’t help feeling hopeful. If Chagall at the age of 70 could begin to create something new and beautiful, then perhaps it’s never too late for the rest of us. Seeing his vibrant use of color, especially with the sunlight penetrating the glass, is mesmerizing. But upon taking a closer look and seeing the intricacies of his work is to marvel at his God-given talent and Chagall’s ability to tap into it.
Chagall himself put it this way. He said, “For me a stained-glass window is a transparent partition between my heart and the heart of the world. Stained glass has to be serious and passionate. It is something elevating and exhilarating. It has to live through the perception of light. To read the Bible is to perceive a certain light, and the window has to make this obvious through its simplicity and grace.”
His depictions of biblical scenes shown through the brilliance of the shining sun illuminate the messages contained in the pages of the Bible. As I gaze upon Christ crucified in the middle window, I connect to the excruciating sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, emotionally, in almost a visceral way.
It’s obvious Chagall imparted his passion into his work. He said, “If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.”
His light-filled, gorgeous creations, straight from his heart, invite me to ask myself what I am passionate about. What is it that God has given me the talent to do that I can begin doing, regardless of age?
What stirs up your passions to create something new? To try something different, perhaps out of your comfort zone? Maybe you’ve seen a need and want to start a ministry to address it. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to develop a talent like drawing or painting and see where it will take you. Whatever your dream, you are never too old to begin something new. Like Chagall, God can take your past, maybe even the most painful parts, and create something new. God himself works within you and His work is not done. He will continue to bring it to fruition, for His glory, to draw you nearer to Him, and to give your life meaning and purpose. The question is, will you trust Him to step out in faith, daring to tap into your God-given talents to begin something new?
Lord, sometimes I don’t see the talents and gifts you have given me or I think I’m too old, too busy, or just incapable of creating something new. Stir up the passions and dreams in my heart and motivate me to use my God-given talents to glorify You, bless others, and provide meaning and purpose for my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Text and photographs copyright © 2019 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of the Chagall windows in the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, France.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Visiting the city of Reims (pronounced “Rance”) in the heart of the Champagne region of France, I am unprepared for the depth of spiritual connectedness I discover here.
In the 5th century, Clovis I, the first king of France, was baptized at a church in Reims that was later destroyed by fire in 1210. Its replacement, constructed in the Gothic style over the course of more than a century, is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims. Providing the venue for coronations of all but two French kings, Reims Cathedral hosted other notables as well, including Joan of Arc, who attended the 1429 coronation of King Charles VII.
Over the course of time, the structure of Reims Cathedral suffered damage by several fires and multiple wars. But it is the windows that captivate my attention.
Some of the windows in the cathedral were intentionally destroyed by monks in the 18th century to allow more light to flood into the building. These stained-glass windows were replaced with clear glass containing smaller, less colorful designs. Then came World War I when most of the structure was utterly demolished. Rebuilt by 1938, the cathedral suffered additional damage during World War II, particularly to some of its windows.
I am intrigued with the new and modern replacement windows installed in such an old cathedral. In the apse, in the back of the church, three large and colorful windows catch my attention. They were created by Marc Chagall (1897-1985), a French artist of Russian origin and Jewish descent. A master of European Modernism, Chagall is known for his brilliant use of color. His themes are often spiritual, both Jewish and Christian. Some of his most moving contributions are based in biblical scenes. Having lived through the horrors of both World Wars, his is a message of tolerance, respect, and love.
Working with stained glass allowed Chagall access to a new dimension of light and refraction. I am astonished to learn that although he was already a well-known and established artist, he did not begin working in the medium of stained glass until he was almost 70 years old. For over the next 20 years, Chagall created stained-glass windows in buildings around the world. His light-filled masterpieces can be seen in a synagogue in Jerusalem, throughout various cathedrals and churches across Europe in France, Switzerland, Germany, and the United Kingdom, in a church in New York, and in the Art Institute in Chicago.
As I stand staring at the brightly hued windows, I can’t help feeling hopeful. If Chagall at the age of 70 could begin to create something new and beautiful, then perhaps it’s never too late for the rest of us. Seeing his vibrant use of color, especially with the sunlight penetrating the glass, is mesmerizing. But upon taking a closer look and seeing the intricacies of his work is to marvel at his God-given talent and Chagall’s ability to tap into it.
Chagall himself put it this way. He said, “For me a stained-glass window is a transparent partition between my heart and the heart of the world. Stained glass has to be serious and passionate. It is something elevating and exhilarating. It has to live through the perception of light. To read the Bible is to perceive a certain light, and the window has to make this obvious through its simplicity and grace.”
His depictions of biblical scenes shown through the brilliance of the shining sun illuminate the messages contained in the pages of the Bible. As I gaze upon Christ crucified in the middle window, I connect to the excruciating sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, emotionally, in almost a visceral way.
It’s obvious Chagall imparted his passion into his work. He said, “If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.”
His light-filled, gorgeous creations, straight from his heart, invite me to ask myself what I am passionate about. What is it that God has given me the talent to do that I can begin doing, regardless of age?
What stirs up your passions to create something new? To try something different, perhaps out of your comfort zone? Maybe you’ve seen a need and want to start a ministry to address it. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to develop a talent like drawing or painting and see where it will take you. Whatever your dream, you are never too old to begin something new. Like Chagall, God can take your past, maybe even the most painful parts, and create something new. God himself works within you and His work is not done. He will continue to bring it to fruition, for His glory, to draw you nearer to Him, and to give your life meaning and purpose. The question is, will you trust Him to step out in faith, daring to tap into your God-given talents to begin something new?
Lord, sometimes I don’t see the talents and gifts you have given me or I think I’m too old, too busy, or just incapable of creating something new. Stir up the passions and dreams in my heart and motivate me to use my God-given talents to glorify You, bless others, and provide meaning and purpose for my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photographs copyright © 2019 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of the Chagall windows in the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, France.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
A close-up of Chagall’s window of Christ on the cross:
La Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, France :
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