A weekly devotional blog by the Reverend Susan Montague Koyle
Drawing on liturgical notes and the commemorations of the saints, Rev. Susan offers teaching and inspiration for Anglicans across Algoma and beyond.*
A Liturgical Note for You
Colours and Prayers of Advent
Blue? Purple? Why has the colour changed for Advent? Our liturgical colours carry the same meanings traditionally used in icon writing, so here is an explanation of Advent colours with that in mind…
Purple
Purple is the colour of royalty, used widely in Byzantine icons. It expresses the glory of Jesus Christ, the King who “opens the kingdom of heaven to all believers.” It is no surprise that purple is associated with waiting for our King — and with the penitential self-reflection that often accompanies these seasons of preparation.
Dark Blue and Blue
In icons, blue symbolizes the heavens, eternity, and humanity — a beautiful pairing for Advent, the season in which we wait for the One who is both fully human and fully divine.
Dark blue was traditionally associated with the Mother of God, who unites in herself the earthly and the heavenly. Many Byzantine churches dedicated to Mary use a dark-blue celestial background in their murals.
Which Colour Should We Use?
Many Anglican churches now choose blue in Advent simply to distinguish it from Lent, where the penitential emphasis is stronger. Historically, the medieval church in England mostly used violet/blue for Advent and unbleached linen for Lent.
Both blue and violet are appropriate and accepted choices for Advent. The key consideration is consistency:
- Use the colour your parish’s tradition has embraced, and
- Make sure your linens and candles match.
Whether your parish uses blue or purple, the heart of Advent remains the same:
We joyfully mark the coming of Christ in the Incarnation and eagerly await his return, bringing the fullness of God’s kingdom on earth as in heaven.
Prayers of Advent — The “O Antiphons”
Each week in the Prayers of the People, we stand together in solidarity and allegiance to God and God’s kingdom. The Advent Litany on p.119 of the Book of Alternative Services strengthens this shared longing.
These prayers are the ancient O Antiphons, used since the 700s. They begin with “O” —
- O Wisdom
- O Key of David
- O Dayspring
— and so on.
They originally framed the Magnificat during Evening Prayer beginning on December 17, and they are drenched in Scripture and filled with the saving names and actions of God.
This is why they are central to our understanding of Advent and essential to our growing transformation into the likeness of Christ.
How to Use the Litany in Worship
Most parishes pray through cycles of intercession. These naturally precede the litany:
For example:
Let us pray for the Church of God throughout the world, especially…
Let us pray for the members of the Body of Christ in our diocese and parish family, holding before God…
And then:
And let us pray in joyful expectation to our Saviour and Redeemer, saying…
(from here, continue the Advent Litany as written in the BAS)
For Your Devotions
Monday, December 8 — The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
On this day we acknowledge the conception of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita beautifully states:
“Mary is simply human — what we are all called to be: holy and blameless in God’s sight, full of love.”
This day matters because it marks a moment when God acted with humanity to further God’s saving purpose. More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Marian_theology
Tuesday, December 9 — The Prophets of the Old Testament
Men and women called by God, filled with the Spirit, sent to speak God’s word. Many suffered persecution or death. The Letter to the Hebrews describes them as people “of whom the world was not worthy” (Heb. 11:33–38). For Christians, Christ is the final and complete Word of God (Heb. 1:1–2a).
More: https://catholicexchange.com/crazy-prophets-old-testament
In Christ,
Rev. Susan Montague Koyle