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I'm wearing a green stole around my neck, and there’s a green tablecloth on the table. Why is that?
For starters, these are part of the glorification of worship. Every place of worship in Scripture – the tabernacle, the temple, the heavenly court in Revelation – is adorned, and that's what we're trying to capture here. The table is set for a marriage feast, a banquet, and it should be adorned appropriately. The stole adds color to my white robe, and its shape is a reminder that I wear the yoke of Jesus as I lead you all in the work of worship.
Further, with much of the church throughout history and today, we observe the church year. Israel celebrated the main events of her history every year at Passover, Pentecost, and Booths.
So too, the church year traces the fulfillment of salvation in the Son and Spirit. Advent and Christmas celebrate His birth; Lent His sufferings and death; Easter His resurrection; and Pentecost the gift of the Spirit. Through the church seasons, we are caught up liturgically into the history of the Triune God; we live through the history of salvation, honoring the Father who sent His Son to die and rise again, so that He could pour out the Spirit.
Each of the seasons of the church year has a particular tone, and the colors of the season help set the tone for the season. We are currently in Trinity season, which goes from Pentecost in the spring until Advent begins four weeks before Christmas. Why wear green after Pentecost? Because the Spirit is the Spirit of new creation; He has been poured out to transfigure the creation, to renew barren places, to transform the earth to a green and fruitful Eden.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Sunday, September 17, 2006 at 08:00 AM
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