The blood-stained cross, symbolic of Jesus' crucifixion, is held together by spikes ... spikes were used to nail Jesus to the cross. The dove, as used in scripture, is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. It is written, when Jesus ascends to be with God the Father, THEN the Holy Spirit will come to us. Here, we see the dove -- the Holy Spirit, waiting to fulfill Gods plan. As Jesus' ascension nears, like a time-line the dove edges closer to the center of the cross -- to the center of Gods will. Symbolic of Jesus' ascension is the bare cross and the dove -- the Holy Spirit, taking flight -- up into the light, the fulfillment of Gods plan. The dark sky represents the dark time of Jesus' life on earth. As the dove ascends into the light, so Jesus ascended into Heaven. Jesus' sacrifice, for us, was truly one of pure, sweet, love!