I love the drive down from the hills into Highgate at this time of year. As December nears, our streets and gardens become a haze of glorious soft purple as the Jacaranda trees release their delicate blossoms. Soon after, Agapanthus flowers, with their crowns of violet petals appear all over. This vibrant purple heralds a long-awaited South Australian summer.
Purple is a significant colour for Christians at this time of year too. Purple is the colour of the season of Advent—the four-week time of preparation for Christmas. Purple for Advent is well chosen. In the ancient world it was the colour of royalty; rare, expensive, reserved for kings. When the church clothes its altars and candles in purple during Advent, it is making a bold declaration: the King is coming! Not a political ruler, not a temporary leader, but the true King—Jesus, the promised Messiah.
As the trees make their announcement of Summer’s arrival, Advent also offers a spiritual announcement: prepare your hearts—Jesus the King is near.
The people of Israel waited centuries for this King. They clung to God’s promises through exile, oppression, silence and longing. Prophets like Isaiah spoke hope into their weary hearts: “A king will reign in righteousness… a child will be born… and he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Their waiting was not empty, and neither is ours. In Jesus, their hopes and ours burst into bloom. He comes with everything our hearts hunger for; hope, peace, joy and love.
As we see the floral purples emerge, creation itself seems to join the church’s quiet whisper: “Get ready. The King is coming.” Advent invites us to slow down, to look for the signs of God at work, and to prepare room in our own lives for Christ once again.
May this Advent season draw our eyes to the purple signs of hope around us—the blossoms, the candles, the Scriptures and the promises. May they lead us again to the feet of the One who comes as King—Jesus, the Saviour, the Prince of Peace.
Mark Rathjen
College Chaplain