Tidings of Great Joy

Heinz Chapel Pittsburgh PA

This past Thanksgiving I had a chance to visit Heinz Chapel and St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh.  For all the time I lived there I had never been to these two churches.  Between the two of them, I could have spent a day taking pictures of the stain glass windows.  As a matter of fact,  Heinz Chapel, constructed during the Great Depression, has the tallest continuous stained glass windows in the world. 

As I was taking pictures I noticed both churches contained depictions of the nativity and the related verses.  I love stained glass windows, a colorful kaleidoscope telling stories for those willing to stop and study them.  I was looking through my view finder when I received the concept of this Friday's Note. I hope you enjoy the following stain glass window story as a means of illustrating the 50th anniversary of a Charlie Brown Christmas.   

Charlie Brown: Isn’t there anyone, who knows what Christmas is all about?!

Linus: Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. Lights please?

And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them!

Heinz Chapel Pittsburgh PA - The angel visits the Shepherd's

And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings o great joy, which shall be to all my people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ, the Lord. 

St. Paul Cathedral - Nativity

And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men.

St. Paul Cathedral Pittsburgh PA - Nativity window

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.