d.’ Also depicted is the washing of Christ’s feet by Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 12.3). She poured perfume over them and then wiped them with her hair. Jesus said that this anointing should have been done at the time of His burial. On a separate occasion, another woman, ‘who had led a sinful life’ poured perfume on His feet and wiped them with her hair (Luke 9.37–38).
The glass is by Mayer of Munich after designs by Canon Underwood’s.
16 Three archetypes of Jesus from the Old Testament are depicted
The offering up of Isaac by his father Abraham was a great test of the patriarch’s faith. As Abraham prepared his son for sacrifice, Isaac asked where the lamb was. Memorably Abraham replied, ‘God himself will provide the lamb’ (Gen 22.9). Note the ram caught by its horns in a bush. God provided the ram so that Isaac would be spared. Several elements of this event are precursors of Christ’s death: the Father offering up the Son, the total obedience to God’s will, and the provision of a perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God. The raising of the bronze serpent by Moses occurred as he led the people of Israel in the wilderness (Num 21.4–9). The people were complaining and God sent venomous snakes among them. As a result of snake bites, many people died. When the Israelites repented, Moses prayed for them. God commanded him to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. When anyone was bitten by a snake, they were to look at the bronze snake and they would live. The window shows live snakes on the ground and in the woman’s hand. The New Testament fulfilment of this is recorded in John 3.14. Christ lifted high on the cross gives life and salvation to all who, though dead in their sins, look to Him in faith.
The taking up to heaven of Elijah (2 Kings 2.11) on a chariot of fire is a precursor of the ascent of Jesus following His resurrection (Acts 1.9).
The inscription reads TO THE MEMORY OF L A UNDERWOOD
17 The next window, depicting events surrounding the Nativity, effectively marks the transition from the Old to the New Testament
The angel appears to Joseph (Matt 1.20–23) in his workshop rather than in a dream as recorded in Scripture. No doubt the artist took this licence to make identification of the scene easier as we note the saw and other carpenter’s tools.
The nativity depiction is a traditional one of Joseph, Mary and the Christ Child with the animals, the ox and ass and also the star above the stable.
Herod consulted the priests about the coming of the Christ after the Magi appeared at his palace. The priests and teachers of the Law searched the Scriptures for clues about the Messiah’s birth.
The inscription reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH WENTWORTH AND OF HIS DAUGHTER MARTHA.
West Window South Aisle
18 Scenes from Christ’s early years are depicted
The presentation in the Temple took place when Jesus was eight days old. This was according to Jewish Law. Simeon, a devout man, recognised that Jesus was the awaited Messiah (Luke 2.25–35).
The flight to Egypt occurred when Jesus was an infant. The picture shows the family crossing the sea in a boat. Jesus was taken there by his parents to protect Him from the slaughter of all the boys aged two years or less. This was ordered by Herod (Matt 2.13–18). When He was about twelve years of age Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem for Passover. After the Feast He did not return home with them but remained in the Temple courts listening to the teachers and asking and answering questions (Luke 2.41–52). The learned men are shown, surrounded by their scrolls, suitably amazed at His insight and understanding.
The inscription reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF HENRY ANGIER AND OF MARY HIS WIFE
West Window North Aisle
19 The three panels of the window in the present choir vestry are all on the one theme
This is a repetition of the theme already depicted in the south transept, namely ‘Suffer the little children’. The central panel shows Christ holding a child, surrounded by other children. The full text of the Scripture verse is given in English ‘Suffe