Panel 1: Mt. Ararat (Genesis 8-9)

A New World

Here is the story of a new beginning. The mountain rises above the waters of the flood as the ark with Noah and his family finally find haven, coming to rest on that peak. Above is the dove with the olive branch held in its beak. This is of course to remind us of the story. When Noah sent a raven out to see if there was dry land it did not return. Noah sent out a dove and when it returned with a freshly plucked olive branch Noah knew the flood was abating. Above is seen a rainbow as the symbol of God's covenant with His people and the promise never again to destroy the earth. This story is particularly striking when viewed from the perspective of the New Testament and another cleansing; another washing of great significance -- Holy Baptism. Isn't it interesting that the form in which the Holy Spirit appeared at the Baptism of Christ was also a dove? The cleansing of the earth with the great flood and the cleansing of our sins in baptism find a direct parallel in story and symbol.