Madre's Missives
Inadvertent and Occasionally Intentional Thoughts
I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 12:11 am
Advent
is a wonderful time for us to remember our Baptisms. Baptism is where
Christ first comes to many of us. How Advent-y is that? In the
water, through His Word, the Word who became flesh and tabernacled among us
comes and tabernacles in us by faith. He comes to save us from sin, death,
and the devil and like the people who crowded the road to Jerusalem for His
coming, we also cry out "Hosanna" to our newborn King, Jesus.
Last Sunday we heard about Christ's coming again on the Last Day.
Because we are Baptized, we need not fear His return. Instead, we can
stand up straight and tall, turn our faces toward the blue sky, and watch the
clouds for our Redemption coming with glory and might. Jesus is also
called the bright Morning star who brings us hope of
a New Day in Him. Dr. Luther instructs us, "...the old Adam in us
should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and
evil lusts, and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live
before God in righteousness and purity forever." (Small Catechism)
This
coming Sunday is Gaudete and that's pink so it makes sense that it's not
blue.
But
the Fourth Sunday in Advent, we hear about the Annunciation to Mary, and her
song in response.
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold, from now on
all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things
for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from
generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered
the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from
their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with
good things, and the rich He has sent empty away. He has helped his servant
Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and
to his offspring forever." (St. Luke 1:46-55, ESV)
Some Lutherans object to the use of blue during Advent because it is a color
commonly associated with the Blessed Virgin. I'm not sure why that's a bad
thing, especially in Advent. Mary is the theotokos, the
mother of God. She is an admirable icon of faithfulness for all
Christians. But faith, which Mary epitomizes so well, trusts the word of
God in the water of our Baptism. "For without the word of God the water is
simple water and no baptism. But with the word of God it is a baptism, that is,
a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Spirit."
(Small Catechism)
I can't think of a better way to remember our Baptisms during the season of
Advent than by the use of the color blue in the paraments, vestments, candles,
and banners of the sanctuary. When else can we so celebrate our Baptism
than with the color of the season? Of course, Advent is a penitential
season, like Lent. But it is also a season full of repentant hope - hope
in the coming Christ-child and hope for His coming again on the last day.
Hope that we are given when Christ "advents" to us in Baptism.
Edited on: December 12th, 2006 12:20 am
Comments:
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 1:23 am by Bloghardt
No, voilet! (http://blog.higherthings.org/borghardt/article/2289.html)
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 9:27 am by Stan Lemon
Sandra,
Don't let evil men burden your conscience with their legalism!
They say that the blue for Advent represents "hope". How appropriate! While violet (or purple for those less ecclesiastically correct) has the obvious association of penitence (ie. Lenten). So then, at the arrival of our Lord would you rather be hopeful at the coming of a Lord who will save His people from sin? Or, would you rather have one more excuse to beat yourself up over? Personally, Lutherans spend enough time beating themselves up over the year - I'm not quite sure we really need Advent added to the mix.
The Lord is coming! A child is born in Bethlehem, He comes to save His people! He is wrapped in swaddling clothes, not in a King's palace but in a manger. He comes for you and me, and even those who would legalistically insist upon violet. He dies for us so that we might not die. What hope we have then that our Lord does this for us! There is great joy to be had in this eschatological season of the church year, where we can rejoice and be merry at the coming! Our hope is what lies in that manger. Even John leaps in the womb! With what though??? Does he leap in repentance? Or in joyful hope??? I'll stick with baby John this season in rejoicing in the hope of the Gospel! I just don't need another season to beat myself up about!
Glory to God in the Highest, and peace to His people on earth! Blessing this Adventide! Pax Christi.
- Stan
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 10:08 am by FemLem1
purple
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 10:09 am by Stan Lemon
hahaha! 
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 10:27 am by revcwirla
We have both. Purple paraments, purple candles (no pink, that's soooo 1-yr lectionary); very nice blue banner by Slabbink.
wmc
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 10:40 am by luvable lutheran
Royal Blue is the same as Duke Blue and I'm Blue Through and Through, even though purple is my favorite color.
....But Seriously, our congregation in Advent displays paraments, vestments, and a banner all in royal blue, while the Advent wreath has 3 blue candles and one pink one.
Stan- you are free in the Gospel to choose whichever of the two colors you prefer. No Worries 
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 10:49 am by Stan Lemon
Careful Pastor Cwirla... I believe Pastor Borghardt calls it "rose".
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 10:50 am by Bloghardt
Careful Pastor Cwirla... I believe Pastor Borghardt calls it "rose".
Yes, "rose" is the liturgical name for the color of Gaudete and Laetare.... It's the French word for "pink."
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 10:51 am by Stan Lemon
Right... and it can't possibly be "pink". Nor can violet be "purple". Those are just wrong. Right Pastor Borghardt?
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 12:52 pm by Chaz
Pr. Borghardt's argument would be stronger if he knew how to spell violet.
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 1:35 pm by Bloghardt
Right... and it can't possibly be "pink". Nor can violet be "purple". Those are just wrong. Right Pastor Borghardt?
I dont' think they are "wrong." No Law. I'm so free, I can call it "rose!" Are you that free? (smile)
I've decided to call it "violet" for the sake of the many pastors who take special care to teach their kids the proper name of the color of the seasons. We have all the freedom in the world to call it "purple," but there are those who are very serious about it being called "violet." I respect that - especially when the color is technically "violet."
Can we be so free as to not allow our freedom to trudge on someone else's conscience? Can we be so free as to submit and serve someone else?
Now, there is no "royal" blue. You can name a crayola crayon "royal" blue and that doesn't make it "royal." The purple (violet) of Advent reminds us of the Advent of our King (John 19:2-5). Turn from your sins (like Lent), prepare the way. He's coming!
Now, happily, we all get to put down our swords as all of us will be using rose (that's "pink" for Stan) on Sunday - well, not Cwirla (smile). Cwirla's is so free, He's gaudete free!
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 1:42 pm by Bloghardt
Right... and it can't possibly be "pink". Nor can violet be "purple". Those are just wrong. Right Pastor Borghardt?
I dont' think they are "wrong." No Law. I'm so free, I can call it "rose!" Are you that free? (smile)
I've decided to call it "violet" for the sake of the many pastors who take special care to teach their kids the proper name of the color of the seasons. We have all the freedom in the world to call it "purple," but there are those who are very serious about it being called "violet." I respect that - especially when the color is technically "violet."
Can we be so free as to not allow our freedom to trudge on someone else's conscience? Can we be so free as to submit and serve someone else?
Now, there is no "royal" blue. You can name a crayola crayon "royal" blue and that doesn't make it "royal." The purple (violet) of Advent reminds us of the Advent of our King (John 19:2-5). Turn from your sins (like Lent), prepare the way. He's coming!
Now, happily, we all get to put down our swords as all of us will be using rose (that's "pink" for Stan) on Sunday - well, not Cwirla (smile). Cwirla's is so free, He's gaudete free!
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 12th, 2006 at 10:45 pm by Rev. Ryan T. Fouts
I"m also "Blue" for Advent.
The "blue" directs us both toward our Baptism, and also toward the "sky" into which our Lord Ascended -- hence, it draws us into the "coming" of the Lord --- namely, the SECOND COMING. Because this aspect, despite the holy one-year lectionary which emphasizes it, the Blue helps to overcome the mistaken idea that Advent is just about counting down your shopping days until Christmas.
Also... by using Blue, rather than "Violet," we emphasize the fact that Advent is not Just "Christmas' Lent," and thus allows us to rejoice in the proprium of the season.
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 14th, 2006 at 1:05 am by FemLem1
http://blog.higherthings.org/femlem1/article/2299.html
~FL1
Re: I'll have a Blue Advent...
Posted On: December 14th, 2006 at 8:50 pm by Jon Kohlmeier
One of the reasons Pr. B doesnt like Blue is because its the color the Jedi turn into when they die and become sparkly guys. I think there are just too many colors. At least with blue theres no argument over if its to be called violet or purple. But I do think purple looks better! Don't you just love the Gospel you can have whatever color you want! It always ends up being white anyway!