Edgar Allen Poe exalted in “the glory that was Greece,
and the grandeur that was Rome,” 
but I’d like to write about “the glory that is Paris,” 
and among the greatest of her achievements is Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris 
(“Our Lady of Paris”) on the the Île de la Cité in Paris. 
Since the cornerstone was laid in 1163, Notre Dame Cathedral has become 
one of the largest and most famous churches in the world. 
It is also one of the finest examples of French Gothic Architecture
to be found anywhere around the globe! 
As Jean de Jandun wrote in Tractatus de laudibus Parisius back in 1323: 
“That most glorious church…deservedly shines out, like the sun among stars… 
windows ruddy with precious colors and beautiful…” Ah, ’tis true! 
Among its glories, Notre Dame’s most outstanding features include: 
#1. Flying buttresses 
(an innovative feature added later to support walls that were starting to bulge). 
#2. France’s largest pipe organ
(and likely the world’s most famous as well, with 8,000 pipes!). 
#3. Chimeras and gargoyles that adorn the exterior walls 
(and serve as waterspouts), 
made famous ’round the world by Disney’s version of Victor Hugo’s
The Hunchback of Notre Dame. 
#4. Bells (also of Hunchback fame). 
#5. Three magnificent front entries with elaborately carved reliefs and statues. 
#6. Intricate carvings that teach the entire gospel 
from the birth of Christ through his resurrection.
#7. Tributes to the saints and apostles even on the rooftops!
#8. And, my personal favorite: The biblical stories in glorious stained glass. 
There are 10 bells at the Notre Dame, and it you’re willing to climb 387 steps 
to the top of the South Tower 
(totally worth the wait and walk…and has absolutely stunning views of the city), 
you can see the largest bell, “Emmanuel” (“God with us!”),
which dates back to 1681 and weighs over 13 tons. 
Emmanuel tolls out the hours of the day and other worthy occasions,
perhaps the most famous of which was during the dark night of August 24, 1944, when God made a way for France to be liberated from their captors.
Deep within her heart, Notre Dam is illuminated by rainbowed light
from dazzling, stained glass windows. 
The crowning joy is Notre Dame’s South Rose Window,
which is 12.9 meters in diameter 
and is comprised of 84 individual panes
dedicated to teaching the New Testament. 
A gift from King Louis IV to the church, this window is considered one of Christianity’s greatest artistic masterpieces. 
As I stood mesmerized by the beauty and light, worshiping my great God,
whose glory inspired such tribute, 
I noticed that one of the stained glass windows was open. 
For some reason, it never occurred to me that any of the windows would open, but it made me think of Hosea 2:15, “And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there…” 
Even in situations where we can’t imagine a window opening, 
God can make a way for us.
“God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me.
“He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.”
(—Don Moen)
(I took all photos of, in, or from Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, May, 21016.)
