Christian Education

October 2025

Why all the colors? Have you ever wondered why the choir has different color stoles, or why we have different color fabrics over the pulpit?

Fabrics of different colors are used to help us celebrate the different days in the Christian calendar. It is thought that in 1570 the Roman Catholic Church started to use liturgical colors to accompany the Christian calendar. These colors were white and gold for seasons of joy and important events in the life of Christ. Red celebrates the actions of the Holy Spirit. Purple/Blue designates the seasons of penitence and preparation which include Advent and Lent.

The secular calendar starts January 1st but the Christian calendar begins on the first Sunday of Advent.

Advent (purple or blue), a season to recollect the hope of the coming of Christ, and to look forward to the Lord’s coming again.

Christmas (white), a celebration of the birth of Christ.

Epiphany (white), a day for commemorating God’s self-manifestation to all people.

Lent (purple or blue), a season of spiritual discipline and preparation, beginning with Ash Wednesday, anticipating the celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ.

Holy Week (purple or blue), a time of remembrance and proclamation of the atoning suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

Easter (white), the day of the Lord’s resurrection and the season of rejoicing that commemorates his ministry until his Ascension (white) and continues through the Day of Pentecost (red), the celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church.

The rest of the year is generally called Ordinary Time (green).

White is used for funerals. Red is sometimes used for ordinations, installations and church dedications and anniversaries. Baptisms, communion services and weddings should retain the color of the season.

The Christian calendar can be summed up into two parts. The first half of the year starting with Advent tells the story of Jesus. The other half of the year is the story of the people of God—Ordinary Time.

Now you know!

Blessings to you and your family,

Rosie Robinson