The Legand of the Dogwood Tree

The Cross was made from a dogwood tree,

The tree was not to blame....

The wind bowed down all the dogwood trees

Before there man-made shame.

It bowed the tree before the cross

That Jesus bent to lift....

We think he prayed a quiet prayer

And gave the tree a gift.

"Henceforth," HE said, The dogwood tree

Shall grow to short to make

A cross for man to bear"

And added, "For my sake."

"And in my name the dogwood tree

This pardoning gift I bring,

A crown of snow-white crosses

To gladden every Spring."

And Jesus touched the dogwood tree..

Redeemed, its flowers spread

Four petals, and each snow-white cross

His tiny drops of red

Like little rusty marks of blood.

And every one may see

That Jesus put His fingerprint

Upon the dogwood tree.