Rio's Christ on High

This post card was sent by Luiz, a Postcrosser from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He wrote a very promotional note on the back that gave a lot of cultural-geographic background in the smallest script I've ever seen. He obviously loves his city of birth. He describes Rio as a "...city high on life, a city of beaches, football , samba and Carnival." I can't wait to go there. It is on my top ten cities list. If I take in a football game, I'll consider wearing my Nomex underwear and gas mask. Those celebratory flares can get hot and smoky. (See the football video link above. The samba video sizzles too.)

High above the city stands the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Completed in 1931, it stands 38 meters (120ft) and is perched on Corcovado peak 700m (2,300ft) above the crowded metropolitan area of 11.8 million. Though it is a large statue an impressive atop Corcovado, its appeal comes from its pose. It is a cross triumphant -- a statue that hints at the cross but emphasises the grace filled Christ -- the one who forever stands with arms open to all.

Cleaving to the Cross

Printed in England, this Raphael Tuck & Sons "Oilette" is labeled "Easter Postcara (sic) No. 23." Used as an Easter greeting card, it is addressed to a Mrs. Adam Brown in Durham Canada. The addresser is A & GW Brown. The message reads: "How have you folks stood the winter, all well I hope. We are well. Hope you may have a fine time Easter..." The post mark over the green one cent stamp is obscured. On the face of the card at the bottom is hand written, "A Joyful Easter." The word "Faith" is also clearly visible. I think it was the name of the art compostion.

Today these turn of the century images seem melodramatic but I like the drama and tension of this one anyway. Labeled "Faith" on the bottom left, it was meant to illustrate the struggles of the faithful against the storms and tides of life. While clinging to the rock solid cross, this bride of Christ keeps her eye on the heavenly light above. In classic art the cross symbolizes suffering. To Christians, the cross is a symbol pregnant with meaning: of Jesus' suffering, of a believer's struggle and suffering in this life and the bridge of redemption over earthly sin to perfection in heaven.

Crucified Jesus Sold on Auction Block

Like an empty Easter tomb, this sculpture of Christ has disappeared.

This post card shows the crucifixion scene, one of more than 30 biblical scenes, once known as the Biblical Gardens in the Wisconsin Dell's area. The statues were carried away by an army of evangelical youth in the summer of 1997. The 3/4 scale to life sculptures were bought by the Commission on Youth Services and WELS Lutheran's For Life. The groups planned to use the biblical scenes for publicity photos, videos and dramatic displays. All the statues were purchased for $5,000 dollars, according to WELS.

Here you can find one man's account of carrying off the statues, including Jesus on the cross.

This card, published by Dells Photo Service of Dells, Wisconsin, is one of thousands documenting the tourist attractions, both natural and man-made, that awaited families from the American Midwest. The photo credit goes to John A. Trumble. The card locates the Biblical Garden sculptures between Wisconsin Dells and Lake Dalton, Wisconsin, on Highway 12. The area is a popular summer vacation destinations for residents of Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis.