When a calligrapher is asked to design an Easter banner and include a cross, of course, one has to use letters and text to develop the design!

Alleluia Banner just printed

As I began planning, I decided to reference both the Old and New Testaments to show how this message from God to us over the centuries is so wonderfully knit together.

The Alleluias, seven of them, would be the foreground and focus of the banner. The next step was research - gathering verses to list under the additional design elements - the vertical of the cross, the horizontal of the cross and a text to use across the bottom or in the lower right.

The vertical of the cross became Isaiah 53:4-6. It was build of strong, sturdy, heavy letters, because of the great sin burden Christ carried. the anguish he suffered to bring us peace, healing, forgiveness and redemption. The bunched, packed letters spoke to me of Christ, our strength, our Rock; his determination and faithfulness to his Father in carrying out His will.

Close-up of Isaiah 53:4a

Surely Closeup for blog articlefrom Alleluia Banner

The horizontal arm of the cross is two texts. Luke 24:5-7 is Easter morning when Mary Magdalene and other women were looking for Jesus. Job 19:25 is back to the Old Testament with Job's declaration of his Redeemer's victory.

Close-up of Luke 24:5-7 and Job 19:25

SeekCloseup

The lower right section, Matthew 28:18-20, is The Great Commission. The disciples had just witnessed so many amazing and wonderful things. Jesus told them to go and tell others the wonderful things they knew.

Close-up of All authority ... Matthew 28:18-20

AuthorityDetail

All the lettering was done by hand then scanned at high resolution so the design could be built in digital format. The five design elements - 1. the vertical section of the cross  2. the horizontal section of the cross  3. the lower right text  4. the Alleluias   5. the background - can be managed and arranged individually.

This work is available as it is presented on my website or it may be customized. Your specific preferences for a variation in arrangement of the layers, colors, size of text and final printed size can be tailored for the particular space in your church, office, school or home.

Through the study of these verses, I have grown in my love of Christ, have a greater awe of his saving work on the cross and have such a joy in my heart. Easter will be a wonderful worship of my risen Savior. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia BannerTitle: Alleluia Banner
Original: Watercolor on Diploma Parchment for original text. Design compiled using scanned files in Photoshop, 2017

Four design elements comprise this piece - vertical of the cross, horizontal of the cross, lower right text and the Alleluias.
Each of these elements exist separately in my files and can be customized to fit the color scheme and size that best fits the environment in your church, office, school or home.
For example, one church has this image on 5x7 foot canvas to hung on a banner stand in their sanctuary on Good Friday, It is then rolled and buried and brought out on Easter, Another church uses this for Easter as well as for memorial services in a stand or over the coffin.
Text for the vertical portion of the cross – Isaiah 53:4-6. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Text for the horizontal arm of the cross – Luke 24:5-7 Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise. and Job 19:25 I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand on the earth. Text in lower right - Jesus’ commission in Matthew 28:17-20. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.