The Story of the Emmanuel Cross
The story begins with my annual Christmas ornament creations. Typically, I find myself making angels and crosses for the tree but this particular day as I continued to work with the clay, I found myself molding a comfortable cross that fit between my first two fingers and my thumb. Friends, family and others shared stories of what the crosses meant to them but I believe I truly realized the importance of the cross while visiting my parents. I watched as they presented on of my “palm” Emmanuel crosses to a young boy joining the church. His mother, reunited with their son for the first time after a prison sentence, beamed with pride and gratitude to witness this special moment. Their ministers, also clearly touched, gasped when she saw the cross. She knelt in front of the youngste placing the cross on her chest and explained to him, “this cross, when you hold it, will remind you that God never leaves us. This is God with us.” We were all moved by her words. Emmanuel which means, “God with Us” became the name. Years later, it continues to be my prayer that these crosses get into the hands of people who need them as signs of hope, love and encouragement. It is my honor to create and share them.
