Have you noticed the change of scenery at your church in recent days?
The different “look” of the sanctuary compared to how it looked in
previous weeks? I’m referring to the paraments hanging from altar,
pulpit, and lectern. They are now purple in color compared
to the white (or green) of Epiphany. It’s a sign that we have arrived
at the season of Lent.
When the paraments are changed from one color to another at various
intervals of the church year it’s good to be reminded of “the why and
wherefore” of it all. By that I mean it’s important to think about the
reasons that lie behind this familiar church custom.
We don’t want things like pretty stained-glass windows, ornate symbols
carved on the altar, and attractive banners hung from the church rafters
to become mere decorations. Rather, as we gather for worship and notice
our church accouterments, we should think
about the Bible truths they represent. As we do such pondering,
decorations can serve the purpose of enhancing our worship, providing
encouragement for our calling as Christ's disciples, and strengthening us for
our walk of faith as pilgrims in the world.
So what Gospel truths do the purple paraments represent? Since purple is
the color for royalty, purple paraments can serve to remind us that
Christ is our heavenly King and that He descended from heaven to fight
Satan for us and defeat him! And since purple
is the color for repentance, the paraments can remind us of the
importance of looking to the Lord each day for the forgiveness He won
for us on the cross -- and they can lead us to rejoice in the robe of
holiness He purchased for us all with His blood.
When you see the purple paraments may they serve such spiritually beneficial purposes for you.
Let them lead you to rejoice in the Lenten truth that, thanks to Jesus,
you’ve become a justified child of God and nothing can separate you from
His love. |
