Blue Advent

Part of the symbolism of the Church is the colors associated with the different seasons of the Church year.  In fact, the secular use of colors for holidays and occasions (red and green for Christmas, black and orange for Halloween) is an allusion to how the Church helped an illiterate populace know when there was a change of the Church’s season.

There are six seasons in the Church year (not including Holy Week) with special holy days marking the end of one and the beginning of another, such as Pentecost ends the Season of Easter and begins the Season after Pentecost (clever name!), which is often referred to as Ordinary Time. If you would like to know more about the Seasons of the Church year, there is a helpful poster in the Welcoming Area by the Welcome Table depicting the Church year in a circle and color coded for the different seasons.

The Season of Epiphany and the Season after Pentecost share the color green, as it is a sign of new growth and fertility.  The Seasons of Advent and Lent can also share the color purple, as it is a sign of royalty as well as penitence.  They are both seasons of waiting and reflection, self-examination and expectation, so using the same color is appropriate.  However, there is a tradition in the Church to use the color blue during Advent rather than purple to separate the two seasons to better reflect their unique qualities.

This Sunday the Church begins the cycle of re-telling the awesome story of God’s revelation to humans with the Season of Advent.  It is a time to be reminded of what the world was like before the coming of our Messiah, Emmanuel – God-with-us, in the form of an infant boy. As scripture says, it is a time when the people walked in darkness before seeing a great light.  It was a time of political and cultural unrest as the faithful struggled to be God’s people in a system that did not value God or one’s neighbor.  In that time, a young woman made a bold decision to accept God’s call to serve.

Using blue for Advent reminds us of Mary’s willingness and sacrifice to give all she had for God.  It is a way for us to be reminded that we, too, are called into such service and consider how we are God-bearers in our time.

St. Barnabas is blessed that we now have blue altar appointments to use for Advent.  They are a gift from the Eldred Family in loving memory of Bill, who was a faithful member of St. Barnabas for at least 45 years.  He was a deeply committed Christian who loved his God and his family, and this is a wonderful way to honor his memory and love of God.  We will dedicate the appointments on Sunday, December 3rd at the 10:30 AM service.  Bill’s family, including his wife, Margie, all of his children, several grandchildren and a great-grandchild(!) will be with us as well.  It will be wonderful celebration of his life and I hope you can join us.

When Bill’s family asked if there was something they could do for the church, I thought about a blue Advent set, but was unsure how it would be received.  When I talked with his daughters, one of them said, “It’s blue, like the color of Dad’s eyes!”  Yes, indeed.  When I look at this beautiful blue set, I’m reminded of both Mary’s courage and the sparkle in Bill’s eyes.  It is an awesome picture of devotion and love.

I pray that in the busyness of the holiday season, you will make time in the Season of Advent to seek some peace and quiet, time to reflect on where you find strength and courage to be faithful especially when it is difficult.  We can have no better examples then Mary and Bill Eldred.

In Christ,

Rev. Valerie+

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