Forest Hills Baptist Church

Bringing glory to God by contending for His truth, multiplying servants of Jesus Christ, and caring for one another.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • New Here?
  • Connect
    • Hub Groups
    • Kids
    • Students
    • 1829
    • Wednesday Family Nights
    • Men
    • Women
    • Missions
    • ESL Conversation Class
    • Olivia’s Gift
  • About
    • Leadership
    • Beliefs
    • Service Times
    • Location
  • Resources
    • Live Stream
    • Sermons
    • RightNow Media
    • Documents and Forms
  • Give
  • The Path
  • Contact

The Colors of Advent

November 30, 2013 2 Comments

Purple and blue abstract

We are accustomed to red and green as the primary colors of the Christmas season. But this is more of a modern cultural notion. In church history, the primary colors of the advent season are purple or dark blue.

These colors conveyed several important concepts. First, they reflected royalty and signaled the expectation of the coming King. Second, purple was a color of penitence. For us, the entire season is one of joy and celebration. But for many throughout church history this period before Christmas was marked by sobriety and somber expectation. It is certainly good news that the High King is coming. But we should never forget that he is coming to rule. And that calls me to submit to his reign. Bear in mind that advent also foreshadows his second coming. And while this is the great hope of the believer, the prophets consistently reminded the people that his arrival would be in power and great glory.

Some have asked why one of the advent candles is pink. Again, the advent season was often marked by a degree of heaviness. The pink candle was highlighted on the third week of advent. As the color of joy, it reminded them of their certain hope in the midst of their sober reflection.

The arrival of Christmas day marks the beginning of the actual Christmas season. This season of celebration lasts for twelve days (This is where we get “the twelve days of Christmas”). During this season, the colors shift to white and gold.

We are certainly not bound by these advent practices. But we can be enriched in our understanding of the incarnation by learning from those believers who have gone before us.

Pastor Jeff

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Pastor Jeff's Weekly Tagged With: advent, Christmas, color

What to expect when you visit FHBC

FHBC Worship Team
We welcome you to join us for either of our services, and to come as you are!
Learn more about the atmosphere and worship service style at FHBC »

Comments

  1. JustinJustin says

    December 21, 2013 at 10:10 pm

    Thank you very much for sharing this. I never knew the majority of what you wrote about, and I appreciate it very much. You made me think of just how little I really know about the origins of our Christmas celebrations.

    Reply
    • Luke says

      December 21, 2013 at 10:23 pm

      Thanks for commenting, Justin!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Watch / Listen Online

Podcast and Live Video Stream

The Path

The Path – Forest Hills Baptist Church

An online community where church members can connect with other church members, groups, events, and calendars.

Log on to The Path »

About FHBC

  • New Here?
  • Service Times
  • Our Faith
  • Our Leadership
  • Our Mission

Members

  • The Path
  • Online Giving
  • Photo Directory

COVID Guidelines

As of July 18, 2021, we are lifting all COVID guidelines.

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Forest Hills Baptist Church is a church in Grand Rapids, MI that focuses on gospel-centered teaching, worship, spiritual growth in the context of community, and reaching the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Forest Hills Baptist Church · 3900 E Fulton St, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Copyright © 2023 · Log in