First Lancet Windows on North Wall (8)

Next in line are windows showing the Presentation of Christ in the Temple at Jerusalem.

The window of Saint Elizabeth was given by Thomas and Susan Donlon.

The window of our Lord in the temple was given to the glory of God and in memory of Arthur Brayton and Ada Brayton. The Brayton name also was a well-known one in the history of our church and in the business sector of Herkimer as well. 

The window of Saint Anne was a gift of John and Marguerite Henderson. The Henderson family had been involved in Christ Church since the mid-1800's. 

The windows from left to right are as follows

Saint Elizabeth

This window features Saint Elizabeth, other of Saint John the Baptist and cousin of the Blessed Mother.
At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
          Luke 1:41-45
This panel is also labeled, "In memory of Fern Telling".

Jesus at the Temple

Jesus, a mere child of 12, amazed these learned men with His knowledge of Holy Scriptures. See Saint Joseph and Saint Mary, His parents hovering (a bit anxiously) in the background.
How would you feel if your son was put into the midst of bishops and then taught the bishops!
See the wonder and amazement on the faces of those men. 

More information on this part of Jesus' life below

Saint Anne

On the other side is Saint Anne, earthly grandmother of our Lord. How proud that grandma must have been when she learned of Jesus' wisdom and knowledge, just like grandparents today!

While Saint Anne is not mentioned in the Bible as we know it, her name and relation has been found in other works by the same authors as the books of James, and Matthew.

This panel is also labeled, "In memory of Marguerite Henderson".

Jesus in the Temple

After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 44because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
49“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50But they didn’t understand what he meant.
51Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
52Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
​          Luke 2:43-52
While the Biblical text is to the left, it is easy to relate this situation to our own when we were either left accidentally by their parents as children, or have accidentally left their children somewhere! 

But the text says, "Jesus stayed behind," and not, "Jesus was left," or "Jesus was forgotten." In those days, when travelling you would go as a large group to share resources and stay entertained as you walked or rode donkeys and camels. Jesus at age 12 knew clearly the routine after attending Jewish festivals like this one for years. 

​We must not forget that Jesus is God's son directly. His realization of the temple being his Father's house was not a realization to Him, but rather to Mary and Joseph, clearly to the elders at the Temple, and to us today.

Upon return to Nazareth, Jesus remained obedient to Mary and Joseph. In verse 51 it also tells us that Mary remained obedient to God as she took the understanding and reminder that Jesus is God's first to heart.