Each season in the Church's calendar year carries its own history, traditions, and special meaning.  The Church's liturgical year begins with the season of Advent.  Each season has it's distinctive color reflected on liturgical hangings and vestments.

Advent
The four Sundays before Christmas.
Advent is a time of preparation for the coming birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We are reminded from the Prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."  Advent is one of two "penitential" seasons within the Church's year set aside to prayerfully reflect on God's incarnation.  The season is usually marked within the Episcopal Church with an Advent wreath of 4 candles--one for each Sunday within the season.  Of the 4 candles, 3 are usually purple and one is pink (the 3rd Sunday of Advent known in Latin as Gaudete Sunday or "Rejoice"). 

Liturgical Color:  Purple 

Christmas
The twelve Days of Christmas - December 24 to January 6
At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of babe born "in a manger."  For Christians throughout the world, Christmas is a celebration of Christ's birth in the world to save all sinners.  John's Gospel says, "and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us...full of grace and truth."  This is a special celebratory time within the Church when God came to us in human form and revealed himself to the world.

Liturgical Color:  White  

Epiphany
The Feast Day of The Epiphany, and the Epiphany liturgical season.
The overall theme of the Epiphany (day and season) is the revelation of who Jesus is to the Gentiles.  It has its roots in the Jewish feast of the Festival of Lights.  Epiphany translates from the Greek, "the appearance."

Liturgical Color:  Green

Lent

40 Days and 40 Nights
Lent is the second of the Church's penitential seasons--a special time of preparation and reflection on the coming day of Christ’s death and resurrection.  Many Christians mark Lent with various fasts and set aside time for prayer and reflection.

Liturgical Color:  Purple

(The tradition at Johns Memorial is to remove all liturgical hangings during this season for special emphasis.)

Holy Week
Holy Week commences on Palm Sunday, the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.  On Palm Sunday, we celebrate with palms and shouts of "Hosannas."  The Agape Meal on Thursday.  The Friday of Holy Week is known as Good Friday which commemorates Jesus' crucifixion on the cross.

Palm Sunday Liturgical Color:  Red

Good Friday Liturgical Color:  Black or bare--the altar and all appointments are stripped from the church. 

Easter
The highest day in the Church's year.
Easter Day, the joy of new life for all who put their trust in Christ, celebrates the truth of the empty tomb: Jesus has risen and he is alive today.

Liturgical Color:  White  

Pentecost
The Day of Pentecost, also known as Whitsunday
Pentecost ranks as second only to Easter in importance in the Church cycle of celebrations precisely because it marks the all important giving of the Holy Spirit to the world.

Liturgical Color: Red 

After Pentecost (also known as Ordinary Time)
Trinity Sunday, and the weeks thereafter

Following Pentecost, the Church sets aside time to celebrate the joyous mysteries of Christ and his mission in the world. 

Liturgical Color:  Green