This artwork below was created by Calvin Institute of Christian Worship's staff member Emma Oehler for the "Grounded and Growing" series but can be utilized in different contexts as well. Throughout this series, the olive tree serves as a central visual metaphor, showing progression through stages of growth: a shoot emerging from the tree (Advent and Christmas), a branch grafted onto the tree (Epiphany), pruning (Lent), flowering branches (Easter), and the bearing of fruit (Ascension and Pentecost).
The olive tree was chosen for its biblical resonance. It is one of the few trees in Scripture explicitly described as both flowering and fruit-bearing. In addition, olive branches hold deep symbolic meaning in the biblical tradition, representing peace and reconciliation. They are also key to the flourishing of the people of Israel, providing oil for lighting and cooking, food, and shade.
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Using the Images
This artwork is available as a free download in the resource section below under a Creative Commons Attribution copyright. You are free to share and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided proper attribution is given to Reformed Worship and the author. (Emma Oehler © 2026 ReformedWorship.org, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Used by permission.) The images can be adapted to fit your needs for bulletins, social media, or projection.
