Part 2: Environment in Church

Environment in church is not designed to be merely attractive or pleasing to the eye.  It is designed to open one up to the presence of God, especially in the Liturgy.  In 2001 during Advent purple draped the trees at the entrance of the Church until the Third Sunday, when it became pink.  The purple a reminder of the Advent Season and of course the pink, a reminder that it was Gaudeate Sunday, a time of joyful anticipation in the midst of preparations.  As one entered the vestibule of the church there were 4 large purple banners, symbolizing the season of Advent.  And as you continued on inside, there were curious purple flowers with foliage that seemed to be reaching out, beckoning.  On the side of the church each week additional purple strip banners were added to  the walls.  All designed as reminders for us to "Prepare the Way of the Lord". 

The fourth Sunday, (1 day before Christmas Eve in 2001) there were unadorned platforms.   We anticipated the figures of Christmas, the Christ child, the stable, the animals, but they were not there - yet.  Our preparations were not complete.  We were not ready.  It was to serve as a reminder to each of us that, amidst the shopping, the wrapping, the cards, the baking and cleaning, the parties and guests, that the real preparation is how we have chosen to let go those habits, those actions that keep us at a distance from the Christ child – When were we Christ to others this season?  How did our words, our actions, our treasure reflect the real meaning of this season to others?  How have we enabled our children to bring Christ to others?  As the song says, Would they Know We Are Christian By Our Love?   That Sunday the sanctuary  with its unadorned platforms challenged us to make room for the Child!   That is the purpose of environment.