I was just in conversation with my American correspondent in the Diocese of Argyll about Liturgical Matters. It transpires that there is schism between us. It is my belief that the candles on an Advent Wreath should be red, with the possible addition of a white one in the middle at Midnight Mass. It is her belief that candles should be either all purple or three purple ones and a pink one.
My contention is that this purple and pink business is something which came to us from our colonial brethren not that many decades ago and that it is, like George Bush, something of which they should repent. My correspondent replied with the assertion that red candles on an Advent Wreath could never be, because “…red candles are common”.
This seems to confirm my view that although she may not be personally responsible for changing our candles from red to purple/pink, her co-countrypersons were. Anyone beg to differ?
If we could resolve differences such as this, we might be able to move to some kind of companion link with the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles one day, which would be quite exciting. We could go there for visits and exchanges, and maybe even share communion.
As the long-standing gatherer of berries (pink and white), umbrella pine branches (nicked) and other exuberantly pagan greenery for the Advent wreath in the Argyll church to which you all refer, I must point out the following: (a)We’ve had the H & F purple/pink/white ensemble for ever – no colonials required (b) the pink berries grow in the church grounds and are wonderfully timed to coincide with our need for them – so are obviously “meant” (c) the rest of the world jumps the gun at Christmas with the red and gold stuff (d) we have our standards to keep up. Our Advent wreath is like none I have ever seen anywhere else: long may it remain so!
Oh, a fine defence Chris – an appeal both to tradition (we’ve always done it this way) and to natural theology (these pink berries growing in the right place and the right time). I tip my biretta in your direction.
I’ve no objection to the pagan greenery. (As one with an advent “wreath” nude of all greenery I long for Christmas to come). Nor would I object to the pink berries. (As I said earlier, far be it for me…)
It is the pink candle with which Hayes and Finch hath ‘witched the bosom of God’s children in Dunoon, Dunfermline and to the uttermost parts of the earth. That is what the problem is. It was colonials I tell you.
You couldn’t post a pic on your blog of the wreath could you. It might help people understand the issues. They can see a wreath with red candles on the wikipedia page on Advent Wreaths if they so choose.
It is rumoured that the C of E is going to publish a report “Issues in Advent Candeleria” soon which may resolve things, but apparently they cannot get all their bishops to agree on the conclusions.
I am delighted to be the priest-in-charge of a purple/pink/white combo and I don’t care where it came from. I just like purple and personally would have the whole church in purple all the year round. No suffering for me in purple.
However, in light of this debate why don’t we go for rainbow candles? They are rife in little gift shoppes in our fair land. And they would show the world what an inclusive church we are. AND our homosexual sisters and brothers would see that they are welcome too. How cool is that?
GadgetVicar has candles at all?
I am shocked, I say, shocked!
No sooner said, Kelvin – and thanks to KB for providing the photo. Hie ye over to blethers for to see how ’tis done in Argyll!
Chris thank you for posting the pic. Now we all know what we are up against. People should be encouraged to double click on the pic to get the full effect of the pink berries. (which are fabulous in concept and execution, BTW).
Simon – don’t be shocked by Gadgetvicar having candles. When I went to a service in his church earlier in the year he appeared in an alb no less. We might be shocked that he is prepared to go on record as having pagan greenery in church however. There may be True Christians listening in for whom that is rather too much of a shock.
In Scotland, Anglicans really do start higher up the candlestick than our cousins south of the border. “Evangelical Truth and Apostolic Order” (and not vice versa) is the church’s motto. Most of our liberal catholics have been born again at some time in their lives. (Some several times!). And most of our Evangelicals are unafraid of candles.
Look out for Gadgetvicar waving a thurible during the annual St Silas procession through the streets for Candlemas in a few weeks time.
‘True Christians’ — reading this blog? Scandalous.
To add another mix from Argyll (CofS no less) – our little church has four purple and one red. No berries though. I am not responsible, merely giving a point of information. Love the pic from Blethers, by the way.
Candles should all be ‘rainbow’ colours. How else can the Church be seen as inclusive?
True Christians reading this blog? Kimberley you should know that even on the edge of the known universe there are those who seek the ‘truth’ even if it never seems to appear.
Zebadee — I dare say if truth appears anywhere it will appear here.
And in the mean time: crucial news from Radio 3. In Germany, the custom is 4 red candles for Advent.
Or so the presenter claimed — though to trust her, one would also have to believe that each household bakes 10 types of cookies in Advent, which are brought out several times a day whenever guests drop by. Just as we all had time to make Christmas puddings on Stir-up Sunday, I suppose.
Since I heard all this while driving back from the congregation in Tighnabruaich, I should mention that along the Kyles of Bute there is not a wreath in sight, but four white tea lights swimming in a sea of purple satin and rose shot silk.