Self-examination, study, fasting, prayer and works of love are disciplines historically associated with Lent. It eventually became a season of preparation not only for catechumens but also for the whole congregation. The traditions of Lent are derived from the season’s origin as a time when the church prepared candidates, or “catechumens,” for their baptism into the Body of Christ. As the color associated with Mary, Blue also reminds us that during Advent the church waits with Mary for the birth of Jesus. As the color of the night sky, Blue symbolizes Christ who in one ancient Advent song is called the “Dayspring” or source of day. Deep Blue is also sometimes used to distinguish the season from Lent. Purple is normally Advent’s liturgical color, associated both with the sovereignty of Christ and with penitence. The Christmas celebration begins on Christmas Eve and continues for the next “twelve days of Christmas.” The first Sunday of Advent is not the beginning of the Christmas season. Advent is a preparation for rather than a celebration of Christmas, so Advent hymns should be sung instead of Christmas carols. Eschatological expectation rather than personal penitence is the central theme of the season. Colors can be used in altar and pulpit decorations, vestments, banners and tapestries.Īdvent is a season of spiritual preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ (Christmas) and looks forward to the future reign of Christ. The use of traditional colors, however, connects us to the wider Body of Christ and provides worship planners with visual aids that mark the transition from one season to another. Blue is the color of the sky and in some rites honors Mary.Ĭongregations in the United Church of Christ have the freedom to use any combination of colors (or no particular colors) as seems best to them. Red also symbolizes fire, and therefore is the color of the Holy Spirit. Red evokes the color of blood, and therefore is the color of martyrs and of Christ’s death on the Cross. Black is the traditional color of mourning in some cultures. White and Gold symbolize the brightness of day. Violet is also associated with repentance from sin. Violet is the ancient royal color and therefore a symbol of the sovereignty of Christ. To these have been added Blue and Gold-colors that were used in some Western rites before the 12th century.īriefly, the colors express emotions and ideas that are associated with each of the seasons of the liturgical year. During the 20th century, the ecumenical Liturgical Movement prompted the rediscovery of ancient Christian ritual-including the traditional colors of the Western church. The Lutheran and Anglican churches that emerged from the Reformation retained the traditional colors but they disappeared entirely (along with most other ritual) from the worship of the Reformed churches. At first, usages varied considerably but by the 12th century Pope Innocent III systematized the use of five colors: Violet, White, Black, Red and Green. The use of colors to differentiate liturgical seasons became a common practice in the Western church in about the fourth century. Liturgical Colors and the seasons of the church year Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support.Subscriptions at the United Church of Christ.The Pollinator: UCC Environmental Justice Blog.Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization (MESA).The Faith Education, Innovation and Formation (Faith INFO)Team.The Pilgrim Press & Stillspeaking Publications.Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington D.C.About The Center for Analytics, Research & Development, and Data (CARDD).Center for Analytics, Research & Development and Data (CARDD).Office of the General Minister & President.Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ – La Declaración de Fe de la Iglesia Unida de Cristo.The Council for Health and Human Services Ministries.
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