Liturgical Colors of the Church Year: What Do They Mean?

With the First Sunday of Advent quickly approaching, our new church year will begin. You will find in our sanctuary a set of paraments that change color as the church year progresses. Each color marks the seasons and festivals of the Christian year. Purple will be on display in Advent and Lent and reminds us of penitence and preparation. Some churches will use blue in Advent in lieu of purple. In our church, you will see red for Pentecost, Palm Sunday, and anytime there is an ordination service. Red reminds us of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus Christ. White, a symbol of purity, will be used for significant days such as Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord, Transfiguration, and Ascension Sundays. It is also used for the seasons of Christmas and Easter to honor the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It will also be present for Sundays such as Trinity Sunday, All Saints’ Day, and Christ the King Sunday. Green will be around for the rest of the liturgical year when there is no special festival or season, a time in the church year we refer to as Ordinary Time. Be on the lookout for the color changes in our sanctuary throughout this next church year!