The purple candles matched the purple paraments on the altar (purple for the royalty of the coming King). ANSWER: , one of our Synod's hymnals, says this about ashes on Ash Wednesday: "Other customs may be used, particularly the imposition of ashes on those who wish it.
The pink candle was the third candle to be lit (not the fourth) on Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent. This ancient act is a gesture of repentance and a powerful reminder about the meaning of the day.
Usually the pastor takes the ashes on the end of his thumb and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of each worshiper, saying these words: "Remember: you are dust, and to dust you shall return." This follows most effectively prior (or as part of) the Service Corporate Confession and Absolution on pages 290-291 of the .
For more information, read about the significance of Lent.
What all of this means is that the eastern celebration of Easter usually follows anywhere from a week to several weeks after the western celebration. One possibility would be to go on celebrating our respective Easters and just not worry about it.
A proposal as recent as 1997, however, has suggested that both east and west use a modern, scientific astronomical calculation for the spring equinox.
Return to main menu QUESTION: Why does the church year begin at Advent, what is the history of Advent, and what is the history behind the Advent candles and wreath?
ANSWER: The word “advent" is from the Latin word for “coming,” and as such, describes the “coming” of our Lord Jesus Christ into the flesh.
The readings, which highlight Christ's coming in the future, focus on his "second coming" on the Last Day at the end of time. Hence a "pink" candle was used to signify "rejoicing." Some also included a white "Christ candle" in the middle to be lit during the 12 days of Christmas (Dec. There are many beautiful customs and traditions surrounding Advent as well as a load of history concerning its development.
And the readings that highlight Christ's coming in the present focus on his ministry among us through Word and Sacrament today. These matters would be better found in books than here.
Ashes can symbolize dust-to-dustness and remind worshipers of the need for cleansing, scrubbing and purifying.
If they are applied during an act of kneeling, the very posture of defeat and submission expresses humility before God." The use of ashes on Ash Wednesday is a more recent custom among most LCMS congregations, although some have done it for decades.
Advent begins the church year because the church year begins where Jesus' earthly life began — in the Old Testament prophecies of his incarnation.