The Legend of the Dogwood

There is a legend that at the time of the Crucifixtion
the dogwood had been the size of the oak tree and other
forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was
chosen as the timber of the cross. To be used thus for
such a creul purpose greatly distressed the tree, and
Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed this, and in His gentle pity
for all sorrow and suffering said to it,
"Because of your regret and pity for My suffering,
never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be
used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent
and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a
cross...two long and short petals. And in the center
of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints,
brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the
flower will be a crown of thorns,
and all who see it will remember."

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