Image via WikipediaAdvent is the four weeks preceding Christmas and is a time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of the Christ Child. More and more church traditions are celebrating this special time of year. The next few weeks I will be posting information and reflections about the colors and meaning of Advent.
Purple
Purple seems like an odd choice for colors to decorate the sanctuary. Isn’t this time of year all red, green and gold? Yet historically the primary color of Advent is purple.
When I was a student nurse at Capital University, we wore purple uniforms. In her usual haughty manner, our dean would tell us, “Purple is the color of royalty.” We felt more like a bunch of grapes when squeezed into the hospitals’ elevator.
But through the years, purple has represented a King and royalty.
Purple is also the color of repentance connecting this season with the spirit of Lent. The nativity of our Lord is linked with His crucifixion. Actually at one point Advent was called “The Little Lent.”
Purple can also symbolize magic and mystery, as well as royalty. Being the combination of red and blue, the warmest and coolest colors, purple is believed to be the ideal color.
Lord, remind me when I see purple to know who You really are. You are my King. I celebrate Your first coming, not as king but as a tiny baby. I rejoice in Your second magnificent coming- as the King of all.
I pause this time of year: eagerly expecting the coming of our Lord, the Messiah, our King.
Does your faith community use the liturgical colors?
