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| The Church Year and the use of liturgical colors |
The Church Year The Church year differs dramatically from the calendar year we are all accustomed to. This is purposeful. The Christian Church uses the Church calendar year to emphasize the ebb and flow of Christian life. The various themes allow us to follow the life and death of Christ in an annual cycle, as well as helping us to focus our eyes on our growth in faith. The Church year developed slowly in the ancient church. Originally it was just Easter, and it grew steadily from that foundation. The Church Year starts in late November/early December with the season of Advent. It ends each year with the Last Sunday after Pentecost (or, the Sunday of the Fulfillment), bringing to mind Christ's triumphant return to judge both the living and the dead. Follow any of the active links below to explore each season or festival in greater depth. Over time, as the church year progresses (and as time allows), more links will be added and/or activated and the calendar will become more complete. THE TIME OF CHRISTMAS (including the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany) Advent Season Christmas Season Christmas Eve Christmas Day Epiphany Season The Epiphany of Our Lord The Baptism of Our Lord The Transfiguration of Our Lord THE TIME OF EASTER (including the seasons of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter) Lenten Season Ash Wednesday Holy Week: Palm Sunday Maundy Thursday Good Friday Holy Saturday (the Easter Vigil) Easter Season: Easter Day Sunday of the Good Shepherd (minor festival) The Ascension of Our Lord THE TIME OF THE CHURCH The Day of Pentecost Sunday of the Holy Trinity Reformation Day (minor festival) All Saints' Day (minor festival) Sunday of the Fulfillment There are specific Scripture passages read on the particular days of the church year. Christian churches around the world follow the liturgical calendar and lectionary so that many are reading the same passages and observing the same feast days throughout the year. Even churches that do not follow the liturgical calendar most of the year observe Christmas and Easter according to the liturgical calendar, which are the main festivals of the church year. The Liturgical Colors One traditional custom of the church which we maintain in the Lutheran Church is the use of certain liturgical colors for different church seasons. The use of colors is a simple way to remind oneself of the different themes and emphases each season has, as well as providing variation in the way the sanctuary is decorated. PURPLE The color Purple is associated with subdued preparation and contemplation, repentance, and with the preparation for significant festivals. It is used during the Lenten Season. RED The color Red is to remind us of the Pentecostal fire (of the Holy Spirit) and of the martyrs' blood shed in spreading the Gospel and establishing the Church. This color is used for special occasions during the Church Year, such as the festivals of Pentecost or Reformation. It is also associated with the remembrance days for the apostles (Saints' Days). Further church festivals marked by the color red include the anniversary of the dedication of the church, the ordination or induction of a new pastor, and confirmation. WHITE The color White symbolizes light. It is used for the most important festival commemorating Jesus Christ, namely, the Christmas Season (from Christmas Eve to Epiphany), the Easter Season (from Easter until just before Pentecos), and Trinity Sunday. Furthermore, it is used on the last Sunday after Epiphany (the Transfiguration) and on the day of the Fulfillment. It can also be used for weddings. GREEN The color Green symbolises life and growth. Thus it is used during the time of Epiphany and also for the season after Pentecost (the time of the church). This means that Green is used for the greater part of the Church Year (about two thirds of the year). BLACK The color Black is the symbol of mourning, death and darkness. Iit is used only on Good Friday, the day in which the light of the world went out. It heightens our sorrow and repentance and helps prepare us for the glorious brightness of Easter morning. BLUE The color Blue signifies hope. Though not used widely in the church, many Lutheran Churches have begun using blue during Advent (instead of purple), as a reminder of our expectant hope in the coming of our Lord the King. GOLD The color Gold is the color of magnificence, of kingly and triumphant splendour. This color is used only for the highest Christian festivals: it is used especially at Easter and the six days following Easter and replaces the traditional white. [Home] [Learn more about worship] [Site map- explore further] |
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