Monthly Archives: December 2007

The colors of Advent

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Some of you may have noticed that mysteriously one of the blue candles on the advent wreath at St. James became pink last week, and that it was lit on Sunday with two of the blue candles. Some controversy ensued. Before the change was made all of the clergy were consulted and were comfortable with the change. Little did we expect passions to be aroused.

Fr. Tom said in conversation this afternoon that the advent wreath was a recent liturgical innovation, so I decided to do a little research. While one must approach information on the internet with considerable caution, wikipedia above all, I did find it interesting that according to that source, the modern advent wreath became a common custom in Germany only around 1900, and then only among Protestants. It probably arrived in the US in the 1930s or so.

The color of the candles is dependent on the liturgical color of Advent. Traditionally among Roman Catholics, because Advent was seen as a penitential season, the liturgical color was purple, the same as in the season of Lent. But like Lent, which had a Sunday “off”–Laetare Sunday–when the liturgical color was rose (pink), it became the custom to use pink on the third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday.

As a result of the liturgical changes in the twentieth century that sought to de-emphasize Advent’s penitential nature and to distinguish it clearly from Lent, blue became a popular liturgical color, especially among Protestants. Anglicans could appeal to the Medieval traditions of Salisbury (the “Sarum” rite) which used blue during Advent. In most Episcopal churches, whatever the color of the other candles on the wreath, there is one pink or rose candle, which is usually lit on the third Sunday (though according to some traditions on the fourth).

I suppose that the most “liturgically correct” thing to do would be to get a set of vestments to match the pink candle. But remember, the color of the candles doesn’t matter a great deal; what does matter is what the season of Advent is about, to help us prepare for the coming of Christ.

Meanwhile, back at the Communion …

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Perhaps you have been following news reports concerning recent activities among Episcopalians in the US. The diocese of San Joaquin (parts of Southern California) has voted to leave the Episcopal Church and join up with the Province of the Southern Cone (parts of South America). More bishops have been consecrated by the Nigerian Church for work in the US. Yesterday (December 14), the Archbishop of Canterbury released an Advent letter to the Primates concerning events since the US House of Bishops meeting in New Orleans.

Like all of the Archbishop’s writing, it is densely written and at times difficult to interpret. But it does seem clear that he continues to criticize both sides. He is especially harsh on those who have intervened in the US and elsewhere by consecrating bishops and incorporating American parishes and now dioceses, “The challenge is not best addressed by a series of ad-hoc arrangements with individual provinces elsewhere…this is not doing anything to advance or assist local solutions that will have some theological and canonical solidity.”

Concretely, he says that he will not disinvite anyone from Lambeth; he will not invite either Bishop Robinson of New Hampshire, or any of those bishops who have been consecrated by African primates for work in the US. He proposes continued conversation, bringing leaders of the American church and their opponents together with professional facilitators to seek common ground, and another group of primates to craft proposals for Lambeth 2008.

There is much more here to think about. Part of the problem of this whole controversy is that the internet seduces us to respond quickly, before thinking carefully about what has been said, and what it means. Theological reflection is hard and painstaking work and it is best done in conversation with others. For example, I am uncomfortable about some of what the Archbishop says concerning bishops in the letter. There are significant ecclesiological issues raised in the letter and they require careful analysis. If you are interested in following the discussions about this letter, I refer you to several sites:

Thinking Anglicans This is a site from the UK.

Episcopal Cafe A wonderful blog that includes items on spirituality and commentary as well as discussion of news

Episcope From the national church office, provides links to all things Anglican in the news, all over the world.