"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that was made." In other words, I am there in the beginning, and I am there in the end: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, who was, who is and who is to come." It really is that simple and beautifully so.

There is much history, much dramatic story, much complexity and much meaning behind all the events which happen at Easter, Christmas and the event that connects the two: Holy Communion. But basically when all is stripped down we have a celebration for God in our lives. Christmas is our celebration of God with us, as a babe, born into the world. Easter is our celebration of God with us for eternity. We rejoice and dance at Easter because the Christ who died for us lives. We shout for joy and come together like a family at a new birth at Christmas because of  Easter.  Each is a beginning and an end.

So must God be in our lives. Our beginning and our end. Where we start and seek and where we rest and end.

Jesus taught us to celebrate these events through the Sacrament of Communion. This is an active way we can participate in the forgiving love of God for us more often than Easter and Christmas. It is right and meet to do so.

Artistically speaking, this design of course illustrates for us the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: the alpha and the omega. The interior of the omega along with the curved lines of the light remind us of the open tomb and our risen Christ. The cross and the star are combined to become a symbol of Christ's birth and death. The bottom of the cross becomes one with the cup; the cup of our salvation. And you will also see wheat, the symbol of the body of Christ, broken for us. The feeling of the design is that of a sun rising and of new life. It is the symbols in it that make it so.

All stoles are made with 100% natural fibres: cottons, silks, linens, etc. If you have any questions about material quality, do not hesitate to contact us.

Some of our stoles are not currently in stock but we will still be happy to make them for you. Karen Brodie Designs has been making made to order stoles for over 30 years. Made to order requests will take several weeks while we create the product for your order. Please proceed with regular checkout. If at any point you have questions or comments, or would prefer to order offline, please do not hesitate to email or call.

Each of these stoles is offered in 48", 54", and 58" from base of back neck. Custom sizing is available upon request. Please contact us to place your custom size order. We charge an additional $80 to make your custom stole length.

Please view our sizing chart here.

About the stole "Empty Cross, Full of Life":

“This is the third stole I have purchased from Karen, and it is a wonderful addition to my collection. One of my favorite features of all of her designs are the ways that she mixes fabric textures together so that they flow together down the stole and from one side to the next. I am looking forward to wearing this one throughout Easter each year.”

 Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania