Stained Glass Windows
The sanctuary of our church building is filled with many dynamics which reflect our relationship with and worship of the LORD. As you enter our sanctuary you may immediately be captured by the ornate stained glass windows surrounding you. Like the altar, pulpit and lectern which are adorned with colored paraments, the pictures and symbols depicted in the stained glass windows help us turn our thoughts to our God in worship and prayer.
It is not difficult to understand what the pictures in the various sets of windows represent as they tell their own story concerning the LORD’s revealing Himself to us, especially in the Person & Work of Jesus Christ. Each group also contains symbols that are related to their story. Christianity has many symbols, developed over the centuries, which connect people of various cultures, ideals and traditions to their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The following explanation is given to help the worshipers in our sanctuary understand the meaning which the stained glass windows convey so that they do not simply become an end in themselves — simply appeal to people because they are beautiful. Rather, they are present to bring the focus on God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His forgiveness and grace in our daily lives!! As with every part of the worship service, we strive to look into the medium in order to see beyond the medium and grasp by faith the message of God for us conveyed through the medium!!
It is not difficult to understand what the pictures in the various sets of windows represent as they tell their own story concerning the LORD’s revealing Himself to us, especially in the Person & Work of Jesus Christ. Each group also contains symbols that are related to their story. Christianity has many symbols, developed over the centuries, which connect people of various cultures, ideals and traditions to their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The following explanation is given to help the worshipers in our sanctuary understand the meaning which the stained glass windows convey so that they do not simply become an end in themselves — simply appeal to people because they are beautiful. Rather, they are present to bring the focus on God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His forgiveness and grace in our daily lives!! As with every part of the worship service, we strive to look into the medium in order to see beyond the medium and grasp by faith the message of God for us conveyed through the medium!!
The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
Luke 2:1-7 records Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, depicted in this scene of His mother, Mary, holding Him while his father, Joseph, watches over them. The presence of the ox and donkey in the background and the lamb in the foreground place His birth in a stable, a traditional assumption based upon the statement that Mary wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. The birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus is celebrated on December 25th. The celebration of Christ’s birth is accompanied by Christmas hymns, many of which people have committed to memory. You will find hymns celebrating the birth of our Lord on pages 358-393 of our hymnal, Lutheran Service Book.
Messianic Rose → One of the most beautiful sights to see is a flower in bloom! Why? Because it reveals the beauty of the flower in its new life!! In the Bible God describes our sin like a desert and the forgiveness of our sins in Jesus like a flower blooming in the desert! Isaiah 35:1-2 pictures this promise of forgiveness of sins: The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.At Christmas time we rejoice greatly and shout for joy too! Why? Because God kept His promise and sent Jesus to forgive us our sins so we can go to heaven!! The rose reminds us of the joy and hope we have because God kept His promise by sending Jesus, the Messiah, as our Savior from sin!! A "rose of Sharon" is referred to in Song of Solomon 2:1. Sharon was a fertile coastal plain in the Promised Land. The hymn, "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" associates this rose to Jesus. (LSB 359) The rose also reminds us of our Advent expectations expressed in hymns 331-357 of our hymnal.
Epiphany Star → Do you remember anything about a star when Jesus was born? According to Matthew 2:1-12, the star the wise men followed led them to Jesus. This star on our window is called an "Epiphany Star." Epiphany means "to show" or "make known." God made the birth of Jesus known to the wise men by a star so they too could believe in Him and be saved!!
The celebration of Jesus’ salvation for all people as displayed in the revelation given to these Gentile wise men coming to worship Jesus with their gifts is on January 6th — known as the Day of Epiphany. Hymns focused on the LORD’s revelation of this salvation through the “star in the east” are on pages 394- 412 of our hymnal. Our tradition of giving gifts is directly connected to the actions of these wise men as well as the 12 Days of Christmas tradition, which celebrates the birth of Jesus during the 12 days between December 25th and January 6th.
The celebration of Jesus’ salvation for all people as displayed in the revelation given to these Gentile wise men coming to worship Jesus with their gifts is on January 6th — known as the Day of Epiphany. Hymns focused on the LORD’s revelation of this salvation through the “star in the east” are on pages 394- 412 of our hymnal. Our tradition of giving gifts is directly connected to the actions of these wise men as well as the 12 Days of Christmas tradition, which celebrates the birth of Jesus during the 12 days between December 25th and January 6th.
The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus publicly began His earthly ministry when baptized by John the Baptizer. According to Matthew 3:13-17, Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. His identification with us sinners to do this is described in 2 Corinthians 5:21 → For our sake God made Him to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Written upon the banner above John’s shoulder in the picture are the Latin words “Ecce Agnus Dei,” translated “Behold the Lamb of God.” This was the designation for Jesus which John the Baptizer used in John 1:29. Verse 3 of the hymn “The Star Proclaims the King is Here” is a fitting description of this picture:
Within the Jordan’s sacred flood
The heav’nly Lamb in meekness stood
That He, of whom no sin was known,
Might cleanse His people from their own. (LSB 399:3)
Written upon the banner above John’s shoulder in the picture are the Latin words “Ecce Agnus Dei,” translated “Behold the Lamb of God.” This was the designation for Jesus which John the Baptizer used in John 1:29. Verse 3 of the hymn “The Star Proclaims the King is Here” is a fitting description of this picture:
Within the Jordan’s sacred flood
The heav’nly Lamb in meekness stood
That He, of whom no sin was known,
Might cleanse His people from their own. (LSB 399:3)
Hand of God → For about a thousand years no attempt was made to portray the 1st Person of the Trinity in human form. The early Christians believed that the words of the LORD in Exodus 33:20--You cannot see My face, for man shall not see me and live—and John 1:18--No one has ever seen God—applied not only to the Father Himself but to all attempts to picture Him as well. Thus, during this time the universal symbol for the Father was a hand emerging from a mass of bright clouds.
Psalm 145:16 says the LORD opens His hand and satisfies the desires of every living thing. The hand coming out of the clouds represents God the Father Who created us and gives us all things in our lives, especially the gift of His Son, Jesus, for the forgiveness of our sin!
Psalm 145:16 says the LORD opens His hand and satisfies the desires of every living thing. The hand coming out of the clouds represents God the Father Who created us and gives us all things in our lives, especially the gift of His Son, Jesus, for the forgiveness of our sin!
Interlocking Rings → The circle is used in Christian tradition to depict eternity or eternal life since it has no beginning and no end. The three interlocking rings have been used as a symbol for the Triune God (also known as the Trinity). “Triune” and “Trinity” are compilations of two Latin words: “Tri” meaning three and “uno” meaning one. Thus, the interlocking rings reflect that God has revealed Himself in the Scriptures as three Persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) in one Divine Being. Many hymns from our hymnal reflect this Trinitarian teaching, such as the ones contained between pages 505-507. Many of the hymns in our hymnal contain Trinitarian teaching and references.
The interlocking rings are included in our baptism window because of the presence of all three persons at the baptism of Jesus and also our baptisms. According to Matthew 3:13-17, along with the presence of Jesus Himself, the Holy Spirit revealed Himself in the form of a dove and the Father revealed Himself in the voice from heaven Who said of Jesus: This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased. Jesus commanded us to baptize people in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in connection with making disciples for Him. The hymns on pages 590-605 of our hymnal speak about our connection to the Person & Work of Jesus in our baptisms.
The interlocking rings are included in our baptism window because of the presence of all three persons at the baptism of Jesus and also our baptisms. According to Matthew 3:13-17, along with the presence of Jesus Himself, the Holy Spirit revealed Himself in the form of a dove and the Father revealed Himself in the voice from heaven Who said of Jesus: This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased. Jesus commanded us to baptize people in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in connection with making disciples for Him. The hymns on pages 590-605 of our hymnal speak about our connection to the Person & Work of Jesus in our baptisms.
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
The night before Jesus died on the cross His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow at the thought of His impending suffering. It would be His ultimate fight with the devil as He would take our sins completely on Himself and experience hell itself for us. So He prayed to His Father saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. (cf. Matthew 26:39) This window depicts Jesus praying to His Father for strength in the Garden of Gethsemane as He went through this struggle.
Chalice & Cross → The cup (or chalice) with a cross rising out of it (called the Cross of Suffering) pictures the agony which Jesus had while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Even though He came for the purpose of dying in our place so we could be forgiven of our sins, He still struggled with it as a human being.
Folded Hands (hidden behind the balcony) → Hands folded pictures the humble heart turning to God the Father in prayer on the basis of His promise in Psalm 50:15 where the LORD says: Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.
Jesus once said that the temple was to be a house of prayer. This picture reminds us that as we enter our church building (i.e. “God’s house”) we too enter to seek His help, guidance and strength with our struggles in sin. As we leave this place we are renewed by His forgiveness to live in service to Him each day!!
Jesus once said that the temple was to be a house of prayer. This picture reminds us that as we enter our church building (i.e. “God’s house”) we too enter to seek His help, guidance and strength with our struggles in sin. As we leave this place we are renewed by His forgiveness to live in service to Him each day!!
The Crucifixion of Jesus
Our crucifixion window pictures Jesus’ death on the cross on a hill called Golgatha. Jesus died on the cross because of our sins. Thus, the sun is pictured as turning to darkness in the middle of the day as recorded in Matthew 27:45 → Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. Now we are freed from the guilt of those sins because Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for us!! We reflect on this gracious love of Jesus for us undeserving sinners during the Lenten season with hymns 418-456 of Lutheran Service Book.
Reeds in Saltire (hidden behind the balcony) → While on the cross Jesus was offered wine vinegar to drink. They used a hyssop plant a with a sponge on the end to lift the drink to Jesus’ mouth. Jesus expressed being thirsty while on the cross because it was part of completing God’s plan—another part of fulfilling Old Testament prophecy in light of Psalm 69:21 → For My thirst they gave Me sour wine to drink. (cf. John 19:28-39
Crown of Thorns → Matthew 27:28-30 describes the soldiers’ treatment of Jesus: They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and put a reed in His right hand. And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head. In order to make His pain even more terrible the soldiers put a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head.
This mockery was accompanied by the sign attached to the cross above His head. In our window it has the letters INRI printed on it. It’s a Latin acronym for the words “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” However, when God the Father raised Jesus from the dead He exchange this crown with the crown of glory and proclaimed Him the King of kings and Lord of lords!!!
This mockery was accompanied by the sign attached to the cross above His head. In our window it has the letters INRI printed on it. It’s a Latin acronym for the words “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” However, when God the Father raised Jesus from the dead He exchange this crown with the crown of glory and proclaimed Him the King of kings and Lord of lords!!!
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
All four Gospels record Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. (cf. Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18) When Jesus rose from the dead He defeated sin, death and the devil for us! According to 1 Corinthians 15 His resurrection gives validity to our faith so that we can live in the victory and hope of eternal life with confidence! The resurrection of Jesus is so important to Christians that is governs our worship. Christians worship on Sunday because it is the day upon which Jesus rose from the dead! In our worship we sing of this victory and hope in our living Lord Jesus Christ with hymns 457-490 of our hymnal.
Butterfly → How does a butterfly become a butterfly? It starts out as a caterpillar (i.e. larva), makes a cocoon (i.e. chrysalis) and then breaks out into a butterfly!! It’s kind of like rising from the dead. It is a very fitting picture for the Christian resurrection. A Christian lives his lowly life on earth (i.e. caterpillar), dies and his body is placed into a grave (i.e cocoon), and then rises again with a new glorified body when Jesus comes back on the Last Day (i.e. butterfly)!! We get a new life now and forever because Jesus rose from the dead!!
Phoenix → The phoenix is a pretend bird which legend said could live for four or five hundred years. The story says that it made a nest of sweet-smelling twigs and spices which caught on fire by the sun. Out of the ashes the phoenix rose to live another five hundred years. Even though there is no such bird, it became a picture of the resurrection of Jesus and our resurrection from the dead on the basis of God’s promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 → We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.
The Ascension of our Lord
Where is Jesus now? Forty days after He rose from the dead He ascended into heaven. Jesus ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God in power and continues to be the head of the Church. He governs His Church by the power of the Holy Spirit Whom He gives to us so that we can continue to bring His work of forgiveness of sins to other people!! We sing of this ascension using hymns 491-496 in our hymnal.
Our window pictures the ascended Jesus with raised hand to symbolize that He continues to bless His Church for the task of making disciples for Him with His gifts of Word and Sacraments. As the Holy Spirit works through these means to serve us His grace the Church builds His Kingdom for time and for eternity. These gifts are represented by the . . .
Our window pictures the ascended Jesus with raised hand to symbolize that He continues to bless His Church for the task of making disciples for Him with His gifts of Word and Sacraments. As the Holy Spirit works through these means to serve us His grace the Church builds His Kingdom for time and for eternity. These gifts are represented by the . . .
Baptismal Font → Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20 → All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
The baptismal font reminds us of bringing Jesus’ forgiveness of sin and the Holy Spirit to other people. The Holy Spirit is pictured by the dove over the font because there we are born of water and the Spirit. (cf. John 3:5) The font is an octagon—it has eight sides—representing regeneration. Through baptism the Holy Spirit “regenerates” new life in us, changing us from being a child of sin and the devil into a child of God. We are born again. The hymns on pages 590-605 of our hymnal speak about our connection to the Person & Work of Jesus in our baptisms.
The baptismal font reminds us of bringing Jesus’ forgiveness of sin and the Holy Spirit to other people. The Holy Spirit is pictured by the dove over the font because there we are born of water and the Spirit. (cf. John 3:5) The font is an octagon—it has eight sides—representing regeneration. Through baptism the Holy Spirit “regenerates” new life in us, changing us from being a child of sin and the devil into a child of God. We are born again. The hymns on pages 590-605 of our hymnal speak about our connection to the Person & Work of Jesus in our baptisms.
Chalice & Host → The cup (i.e. chalice) and wafer (i.e. host) picture the Lord’s Supper, also known as Holy Communion. When Jesus gave us the Lord’s Supper He gave the bread to His disciples and said: Take, eat; this is My body. Then He passed around a cup of wine and told them to Drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (cf. Matthew 26:27-28)
The chalice with the wheat (representing the bread) and the grapes (representing the wine) remind us that we receive the forgiveness of sins on the basis of Jesus’ promise as we take this sacrament. In, with and under the bread and wine we receive the true body and blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins when we gather at the altar below our ascension window! The Lord’s Supper is also a “means of grace”—something which God uses to give us His forgiveness and love! The hymns on pages 617-643 speak about the blessings of the Lord’s Supper.
The chalice with the wheat (representing the bread) and the grapes (representing the wine) remind us that we receive the forgiveness of sins on the basis of Jesus’ promise as we take this sacrament. In, with and under the bread and wine we receive the true body and blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins when we gather at the altar below our ascension window! The Lord’s Supper is also a “means of grace”—something which God uses to give us His forgiveness and love! The hymns on pages 617-643 speak about the blessings of the Lord’s Supper.
Bible → It is through the proclamation of the Word of God that faith comes to the hearts of people.
(cf. Romans 10:17) The Word puts forgiveness of sins into baptism and conveys and seals it to all that believe these words and promises of God. The promises of Jesus in God’s Word are, along with the bodily eating and drinking, the main thing in the Sacrament of the Altar, and “whoever believes these words has what they say: ‘forgiveness of sins.’”
Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus stressed the importance of placing our faith in Him based upon God’s written Word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. It is surely fitting that this Word should have a symbol at the top of our window in the form of an open Bible. Hymns 577-589 speak about the importance of God’s written Word in our lives.
(cf. Romans 10:17) The Word puts forgiveness of sins into baptism and conveys and seals it to all that believe these words and promises of God. The promises of Jesus in God’s Word are, along with the bodily eating and drinking, the main thing in the Sacrament of the Altar, and “whoever believes these words has what they say: ‘forgiveness of sins.’”
Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus stressed the importance of placing our faith in Him based upon God’s written Word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. It is surely fitting that this Word should have a symbol at the top of our window in the form of an open Bible. Hymns 577-589 speak about the importance of God’s written Word in our lives.
Jesus Blesses the Children
Hear how our Lord Jesus Christ has opened the Kingdom of God to little children in Mark 10:13-16: They were bringing children to Jesus that He might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them.
This window reminds us of Jesus’ command so that we bring children to Jesus in this place by bringing them to the waters of baptism; by bringing them to worship in this place regularly where they hear God’s Word proclaimed and read; helping them grow in their faith in Jesus by bringing them to Sunday school, confirmation instruction and other Bible study opportunities; by praying for and with them; by answering questions and bringing them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord as we practice the presence of Jesus in our homes.
This window also reminds us adults that we need the same child-like faith in Jesus as modeled by children when they hear about Jesus, His miracles, His dying and His rising from the dead to forgive our sins and give us eternal life! We are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus and, no matter how old we may be, we have the desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so that He may be glorified both now and to the day of eternity! (cf. 2 Peter 3:18)
This window reminds us of Jesus’ command so that we bring children to Jesus in this place by bringing them to the waters of baptism; by bringing them to worship in this place regularly where they hear God’s Word proclaimed and read; helping them grow in their faith in Jesus by bringing them to Sunday school, confirmation instruction and other Bible study opportunities; by praying for and with them; by answering questions and bringing them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord as we practice the presence of Jesus in our homes.
This window also reminds us adults that we need the same child-like faith in Jesus as modeled by children when they hear about Jesus, His miracles, His dying and His rising from the dead to forgive our sins and give us eternal life! We are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus and, no matter how old we may be, we have the desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so that He may be glorified both now and to the day of eternity! (cf. 2 Peter 3:18)
Ark → From most ancient times the ark of Noah has been used as a symbol of the Christian Church. When the destroying waters of the flood overwhelmed the earth eight believers were saved by means of the ark. Our Lord refers to the ark in Matthew 24:37-39 while speaking about the unexpected suddenness of His 2nd Coming. Noah is mentioned in Hebrews 11:7 as an example of faith. The eight souls saved from destruction by the flood are mentioned in 1 Peter 3:20-21 in connection with the saving power of baptism. Another reference to Noah and flood is recorded in 2 Peter 2:5.
As it was for the Messiah’s sake that the ark became a place of shelter for the believers in those early days, so it is for Jesus’ sake that the Church with her saving Word and Sacraments can and does bring peace and freedom from all fears of judgment upon sin to believers today!!
As it was for the Messiah’s sake that the ark became a place of shelter for the believers in those early days, so it is for Jesus’ sake that the Church with her saving Word and Sacraments can and does bring peace and freedom from all fears of judgment upon sin to believers today!!
Virgin Bride → The Church is here represented as a virgin clad in allegorical garments holding a chalice and a book, symbolizing her Sacraments and the Word of God. In more elaborate presentations of this symbol hideous beasts, representing sin and the devil, are shown trying to drag her down. But these strive in vain as long as she holds firmly to her book and chalice. It is the symbol of the invincible power of the Church as long as she holds fast to her pure Word and the un-mutilated Sacraments.
The Choir Loft
Music has always been important for the expression of faith in the Church. In many of the psalms God’s grace is spoken of as being expressed through music and dancing. In Psalm 150:1-2 we are told to praise God in His sanctuary . . . for His mighty deeds . . . according to His excellent greatness! Then it lists all the various instruments used to praise the LORD: trumpets, lutes, strings, tambourines, cymbals, harps and pipes. The stain glass windows in our choir loft reflect some of these instruments used in praise of the LORD.
Syrinx → This picture is a series of reeds tied together similar to the pipes and pan, said to be the first musical instrument and the forerunner of the church organ. It symbolizes the pipe organ which has become the most common instrument used for worship for many centuries in the Christian Church.
Saltire Trumpets → “Saltire” refers to something interlocked in the shape of an “X.” Trumpets were used from ancient times for various purposes. They were used among God’s people in the Old Testament to announce the presence of the LORD, to call the people together in the presence of the LORD, for breaking camp to follow the presence of the LORD in the wilderness, to sound an alarm in battle, at the pronouncement of a king and for worship. These saltire trumpets remind us of our praise in the presence of Jesus, our King of kings and Lord of lords, in worship!
Lyre → The lyre is an ancient stringed instrument first mentioned in Genesis 4:21 as being played by Jubal. It is a forerunner of the modern harp, but may have been more like a modern zither (a wooden sound box with strings stretched across the top that may be plucked or strummed). It was a very common instrument used in the worship life of God’s people, many times accompanying the psalms of the Old Testament.
Scroll → The scroll represents God’s written Word of the Old and New Testaments. Our liturgy is taken from the Word of God, much of which is verbatim. By the use of our liturgy we chant (sing) God’s Word, praising Him for His grace, love, forgiveness and eternal life as He serves us with these blessings through His means of grace in worship together!
Sacristy (Now located by south entrance)
Bible & Sword → The open Bible with the Latin words “Spiritus Gladius” printed upon its pages, superimposed over a sword is the symbol for the apostle Paul. It is taken from Ephesians 6 which describes a Christian involved in spiritual battle, dressed with the armor of God. Verse 17 tells us to take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The phrase “Spiritus Gladuis” means “sword of the Spirit.” The conversion of St. Paul is recognized in some churches on January 25th. St. Paul’s apostleship is recognized along with St. Peter’s apostleship on June 29th.
Inverted Cross → According to church tradition the apostle Peter was crucified upside down. It is said that he requested to be crucified this way because he was not worthy to hang on the cross as did His Savior, Jesus. Thus, the inverted cross became the symbol representing the apostleship of Peter.
Tunic of Camel's Hair→ A cousin of Jesus, John the Baptizer was the forerunner of Christ, preparing people to meet Jesus in His earthly ministry by baptizing them. Acts 19:4 says that John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the One Who was to come after him, that is, Jesus. We are told in Matthew 3:4 that John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. Thus, the camel’s hair tunic became a symbol representing the ministry of John the Baptizer. His ministry is recognized in the church year calendar on June 24th.