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The Church Year The church year is divided into various liturgical seasons which are represented by their respective liturgical colors. The colors help "set the mood". Click here for more. The wheel below illustrates these divisions of the church year.
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Advent marks the beginning of the church year and is a time of preparation for the Lord's coming; which is what the word "advent" means: "coming". We prepare our hearts and homes not only for the Lord's coming at Christmas (His Incarnation) but also for His Second Coming, when He will come again in Glory.
We make an evergreen wreath which symbolizes God's eternity and our joyous hope of eternal life through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We place four candles around the wreath, decorate it and light one candle for each Sunday in Advent until four candles are lit, announcing brightly: "The Lord comes!" The first candle symbolizes Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the second, represents John the Baptizer who prepared the way for the Messiah's coming by preaching repentance, the third candle is pink to depict a less penitent mood and represents John's testimony to Christ, and the fourth candle represents the angel Gabriel foretelling Jesus' birth.
The color for Advent is purple, reminding us to reflect on our own sin and to turn back to God in repentance, seeking forgiveness, thus preparing our hearts for the Lord. Often a larger, white candle (Christ Candle) is placed in the center of the wreath and is lit at Christmas.
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Christmas is next to Easter and Pentecost the highest festival in the church year. The Lord has come! Immanuel - God with us. We turn to God in thanksgiving, that almighty God loved us so much, that He sacrificed his own Son, Jesus Christ, to become man, live among us, take all our sin and guilt onto himself and pay the ultimate price for our sin: His death on the cross so that we need not be damned but have eternal life through faith in Him! What joy!
Christmas celebrates Jesus Christ, eternal God with the Father and the Holy Spirit, becoming a human baby, thus starting His divine work of salvation.
In the Gospel of Luke we read: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 1:10-12)
In this day and age, the story of the Infant in the manger, the shepherds and the Wise Men is so tinseled over with shopping, gift-giving and feasting, it is so commercialised and clouded over with Santa Claus and political correctness, that the real meaning of Christmas is often sadly lost under it all.
Yet, getting ready for the newborn King does not mean that we can't bake cookies, give gifts, get together with family and friends and enjoy a good Christmas feast! If we know the real reason for celebrating at Christmas, there's nothing wrong with celebrating. "Jesus is the reason for the season!"
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."(Luke 1: 13-14)
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The season of Epiphany starts on the festival of Epiphany on January 6th and extends over a period of between two and six weeks, depending on Easter being early that year or late.
"Arise, shine, for Thy light is come." (Is.60:1) This is the theme for Epiphany: Christ is the glorious, saving light of the world, illuminating the lives of us sinners caught in the darkness of sin.
We reflect mainly on the Wise Men following the star to Bethlehem, on Christ's baptism and on the Transfiguration of Christ.
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Lent is the period of about 6 weeks before Easter, starting with Ash Wednesday and ending with the climactic "holy week", the week before Easter in which Maundy Thursday (where our Lord institutes the Lord's Supper) and Good Friday (the day of our Lord's death on the cross) are celebrated.
During the season of Lent the color violet or purple represent somberness and solemnity, penitence, and prayer. That is due to the somber mood created by the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. We contemplate His suffering and death on the cross He endured on account of our sin.
Our Lord Jesus Christ wore a violet cloak just before His death. His mockers, knowing violet to be a highly valued color worn by kings, tauntingly clothed him in a king's purple cloak and jeeringly called Him "The King of the Jews".
Violet is the color of inward reflection or repentance. Lent encourages one to be conscious of one's sin and short comings and turn back to Christ to receive forgiveness and to be made at peace with God again.
That's why during Lent and also during Advent, the prominent color we see in the church is violet.
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Easter is, in contrast to the somber mood of Lent, a joyous festival. We celebrate the triumphant Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. All over the world we hear the joyous exclamation on Easter morning: "He is risen! He is risen indeed!" We celebrate with such joy because Christ's resurrection means that we also will be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven. The Apostle Paul writes in 1Cor.15:17ff: "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, so in Christ all will be made alive."
White is the color of Easter. What color, other than white, represents purity, innocence, absolute perfection, joy in its purest form and triumph over darkness as well as white does? None; only white does. White is the color of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world; He is snow-white, without blemish, perfect. This perfect Lamb forgives us our sins, be they as dark and damning as they may, and we may have the comfort in His words: "Your sins are forgiven you" and know that He has made them as white as snow.
Easter symbols represent new life - new life in Christ. Hence, for example, the Easter egg. An egg symbolizes new life. The butterfly which emerges from its dark cocoon also symbolizes new life. Consider also the phoenix rising from the ashes and the rainbow after the storm; they also represent new life. How about a new dress or a new outfit for Easter? Traditionally, new clothes at Easter celebrate the idea of a fresh start. Easter takes place in the season of spring, the season of renewal and new life after the long, dark winter, which is an excellent illustration of us being pulled out of the darkness of our sin into the brilliant Light of our new life in our Lord Jesus Christ.
That's why during the season of Easter and on all festivals celebrating Jesus Christ, the predominant color we see in the church is white.
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After His resurrection at Easter, our Lord Jesus Christ stayed with His disciples for another 40 days. Then, in their presence, He ascended bodily into the glory of His Father in heaven.
Luke reports in his Gospel: "While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven." (Lk.24:51)
We are comforted by Christ that He went up into heaven to prepare a place for us there. "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2-3)
The post-Easter season, including Ascension, is therefore one of joy and spiritual excitement. Throughout these days, sermons, readings, prayers and hymns reflect the mood of thanks and praise.
The liturgical color for Ascension Day is white because it is a festival celebrating Jesus Christ.
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Only 10 days after the Ascension of our Lord, 50 days after Easter, we celebrate Pentecost, the climax of the whole Paschal season. On this day, we commemorate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples.
"Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." (Acts 2:2-4)
Prayers and hymns at Pentecost are an invitation for the Holy Spirit to come to us and enter our hearts. The Holy Spirit calls us to faith through the Gospel and keeps us in faith. We are filled with joy, peace and hope. St. Paul writes to the Romans:
"The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we daily ask Him to come because we constantly push Him out through our sinfulness. "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)
The liturgical color at Pentecost is red, symbolizing the flames that came to rest on the disciples' heads. The mood is that of joy, thanks and praise, which carries over from Ascension.
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Trinity Sunday, a week after Pentecost, is a festival celebrating the Holy Trinity of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons in one divine being.
At the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Trinity is most clearly noted: Christ standing in the river, God the Father's voice from heaven and the Holy Spirit descending on Christ in the form of a dove.
"As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Mark 1:10-11)
There are a number of popular symbols which represent the Holy Trinity: the triangle, three interlocking circles, a triangle surrounded by a circle, the shamrock and others, each depicting the three persons of the Trinity equally.
The liturgical color for Trinity Sunday is white, representing the purity of the Holy Trinity.
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The second half of the church year begins with Pentecost and ends on the Sunday before Advent. Whereas the church year begins with Advent and includes all the major church festivals like Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost, celebrating what Jesus Christ has done for us and our salvation, the second half focuses on Christ's teachings and the Holy Spirit's work among us.
The liturgical color, therefore, is green. Green represents growth of the church and growth in faith. The overall focus in the "green period" is on the work of the Holy Spirit who "calls, gathers and enlightens" people. He brings them to faith, nurtures and strengthens their faith through Word and Sacrament.
The "green season" concentrates on our response to what God has done for us. We therefore concentrate on missions, reaching out to the unchurched and announcing God's Grace to the people that they may also be "called and gathered" by the Holy Spirit and receive the forgiveness of sins. Believers are "enlightened and sanctified"; their faith is strengthened by hearing the Word and receiving the Lord's Supper for the forgiveness of sins.
Popular symbols used in the Season after Pentecost, are, among others, an anchor and a fishing net which symbolize Christ as the anchor and the net to "catch men", to bring people to faith in Christ. Likewise, a ship and the ark represent the church, a safe haven. That's from where the term "nave of the church" is derived, "nave" meaning the main part of the ship. Another "green" symbol is the "crosslet cross" which is made up of four little crosses which represent preaching Christ to the North, South, East and West.
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On Reformation Day, we commemorate the reformation of the church which began on All Saints Eve, October 31, 1517 in Wittenberg, Germany, when Dr. Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk and professor of theology at the university there, posted 95 points of discussion (theses) on the Castle Church's door.
What prompted Dr. Luther, was mainly the "letters of indulgence" which the Roman Catholic Church at the time was selling to the people, promising them forgiveness of their sins. It became so bad, that people were "buying forgiveness" for sins they had not yet commited! Dr Luther deemed this to be an outrage as Holy Scripture clearly teaches that God alone forgives, and only a repentant sinner receives fogiveness and salvation from God by grace alone. Grace alone, Scripture alone, Faith alone. The 95 theses, which Luther merely meant to discuss with his colleagues, swept the nation, igniting new thought and fresh insight. Over the following 3-4 years, most of his fellow Augustinians, many parish priests and the majority of German Christians sided with Luther.
Many times Luther was ordered to recant (take back what he had said and written) but every time he refused, saying to do so would go against Holy Scripture. His last refusal ended with the now famous words: "Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God! Amen." which resulted in him being excommunicated and declared "wanted: dead or alive"!
With the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, the reformation continued despite there being a price on Luther's head over the following 3 decades or so until his death in 1546. During this time, Luther and his colleagues translated the complete Bible, carefully documented their statements of faith in The Lutheran Confessions, of which the Small Catechism is the one most frequently used to teach lay people and children in the Lutheran Church today, introduced hymns, taught pastors how to teach and preach the Gospel and encouraged lay people to read their Bibles and learn more about their faith, which the Lutheran Church still encourages today.
We give thanks to God for restoring the Truth of Holy Scripture to the church, the truth which had been there all along but had been buried and obscured under centuries old dust until it was rediscovered by the Reformation.
To view pictures and read more about Martin Luther and the Reformation in Wikipedia, click here.
To read a short article about Martin Luther, click here.
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On All Saints Day, November 1, we give thanks to God for all those who have died in faith in Christ and now rest with Him in heaven, thereby providing us with good examples of faith to "hold onto the faith till the end". "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Rev. 2:10)
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The Chi Rho - A symbol for Christ. It's the combination of two Greek letters: X and P, the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ, meaning "the Messiah".
The IHS - A symbol for Jesus, the first three letters of the Greek word for "Jesus", meaning "helper" or "savior".
Advent: "The Lord Comes!" The four candles depict the four Sundays in Advent, in preparation for the Lord's Coming. The white Christ Candle in the middle is lit at Christmas.
Violet or Purple - Symbolizes reflection on own sin, turning back to God for forgiveness.
Agnus Dei - The Sacrificial Lamb - Christ. "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29) Note how the Lamb's blood is caught in a chalice. That has great significance: In or with the wine at Holy Communion, we receive Christ's very blood that was shed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
White - Symbolizes Christ's purity, holiness and absolute perfection. It gives believers the hopeful message: "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow."
Agnus Dei - The Triumphant Lamb - Jesus Christ rose from the dead in triumph, defeating death and the devil. The picture depicts the Lamb holding the flag of triumph: a red cross symbolizing His blood that was shed, on a white background which symbolizes Christ's purity, holiness and absolute perfection.
The Ascension of our Lord: "Men of Galilee," the angels said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)
Red: the color of the Holy Spirit. Red symbolizes the Holy Spirit that appeared in the form of flames on the heads of the disciples at Pentecost. Another symbol for the Holy Spirit is the dove because He showed himself in the form of a dove at Jesus' baptism.
The Holy Trinity: One God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Crosslet Cross: Four little crosses put together to represent Christ being preached to the four corners of the earth.
Anchor Cross: Christ is our anchor. The church casts out the net, the Word of God, so that people may hear it and be "caught", be brought to faith in Christ.
Dr. Martin Luther. A portrait by Lucas Cranach the Elder around 1535.
Luther nails the 95 theses on the Castle Church's door.
The Luther Rose: Martin Luther designed this coat of arms to reflect a christian's faith. "A christian heart on roses lands, when centered under the cross it stands".
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