"The mural depicts the Grace of God Almighty given to us through His Son, based on the
Word (symbols of the Gospels) which we hold to be true."  This is a direct quotation of
the author and painter of the mural, Robert J. Aldern, of Sioux Falls, SD.

The central figure of this mural is Jesus Christ.  The centrality of Christ is the most
important aspect of the mural.  I am a Christian because of Jesus and what He means to
me.  Out of God's grace we have Him in love (John 3:16) sending His only begotten Son
to become incarnate, born of the Virgin Mary.  The Christmas Gospel (Luke 2) is the
subject of the scene to the lower left of the central figure of Jesus Christ.  The figures
symbolize our Lord's birth.   Joseph is standing behind the mother and Child wearing his
carpenter's apron.  The mother is seated holding the Christ Child in her arms.  The color
of the Child's face is unique in that every race could claim Him as their Savior.  Three
wise men kneel at the feet of Jesus.

The figures to the lower right of the center are Peter, James and John with Jesus on the
Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17).  The end of the Lord's prophetic mission is at
hand.  Now Jesus, the High Priest, is to offer Himself as the Lamb of God.  Moses and
Elijah come to talk with Jesus about His great task, the redemption of sinful mankind.  
The three disciples go into ecstasy over the glory which they behold. 

Reading from top to bottom the central figures speak the Confession of Faith of the
Christian Church, "I believe in God the Father (symbol of the creative hand of God from
the clouds), the Son (symbol of Christ with arms and hands raised in benediction), and
the Holy Spirit (symbol of the dove descending to the altar)."

This confession of Christian faith rests upon the symbols for the four Gospels.  St.
Matthew (winged man) for this Gospel begins with the human ancestry of Christ.  St.
Mark (winged lion) for this Gospel opens with a description of the "voice of one crying in
the wilderness".  St. Luke (winged ox) for this Gospel gives the most complete account
of the sacrificial death of Christ.  St. John (eagle) for this Gospel soars heavenward.

On the left of Jesus and on the vesture falling from His right arm we have the symbol for
the Sacrament of Holy Baptism (sea-shell).  The running water symbolizes the washing
away of sins (washing of regeneration - Titus 3).  After such washing of regeneration and
renewing of the Holy Spirit we are made Christians (symbol of the fish) through our Lord,
Jesus Christ.