This first Windows Wednesday for the Sanctuary focuses on the top portion of Window 1—The Child. See the “Sanctuary History” post for a diagram of the window numbering. As in the Chapel, each of the large windows contains three scenes. In this room, the windows each depict a character trait of Jesus: the top depicting the Father with an Old Testament story, the middle depicting a story from the life of Jesus exemplifying that trait, and the lower section illustrating that trait at work today through the Holy Spirit. Today, we will examine the image of the Old Testament story of Hannah and Samuel from the book of I Samuel.

Hannah was the primary wife of Elkanah and could not bear him a son. She prayed at the temple, and the high priest Eli heard her praying. She promised that if God would grant her a son, she would give him over to the temple and become a Nazarite (a member of a very conservative religious order) for the life of the child. Thus, Samuel was born. The scene depicted here is Hannah handing over Samuel to Eli. This moment prefigures Mary’s sacrifice in giving her son over to his heavenly responsibilities. In the background, a portion of the menorah of the temple can be seen. Temple menorahs, unlike Hanukkah menorahs, have 7 branches: three on each side of a central candle. There are many debates over the symbolism of the seven candles, but its design was given by God directly to Moses (Exodus 25:31–40). Click or scroll over the image below to see the artist’s design for the window.

“‘For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.’ She left him there for the Lord.” I Samuel 1:27–28

Related posts:

UMC of Kent Blogs Sanctuary Window 1—The Child—B Sanctuary Window 1—The Child—C Sanctuary Window 4—The Comforter—A