As you look at the Christmas decorations in the sanctuary this year, you might notice a cloth on the chancel with colors that don’t necessarily scream ‘CHRISTMAS’ to you – a woven cloth of blue, purple and scarlet yarns with some gold threads intertwined. The rest of the décor of the sanctuary reflects these colors as well – the purple and gold swags above the windows, the deep red poinsettias. What’s going on here? Why this unusual color scheme?
You might have recognized the phrase “blue, purple and scarlet yarns” from Exodus, when God gives Moses the directions for building the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a portable ‘worship center’, designed for the Israelites to carry with them in their 40 year trek through the wilderness after being freed from their slavery in Egypt. They are headed to Canaan, the Promised Land, but it will take them a LOOOOONG time to get there because of their initial doubt of God’s ability to provide for them. (I am simplifying the story here…). While they are wandering through the desert, led by the pillars of cloud and fire, God will be with them and the Tabernacle is His dwelling place. When they are on the move, the Tabernacle is disassembled and carried with them. When they stop, they re-assemble it. It was designed to be portable – God is a master craftsman!
All of the fabrics in the Tabernacle were woven of blue, purple and scarlet yarns (along with finely twined linen, to be exact). These fabrics were used as the internal ‘walls’ of the Tabernacle, the veil dividing the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, the priests’ clothing – any time cloth is mentioned, it is in these colors. They were also often embroidered with cherubim. Can you just imagine the beauty of these rich fabrics and colors? The attention to detail and expense involved in the description of the building of the Tabernacle is extraordinary, and reflects the value of worship to God. Chapters 25-40 of Exodus are taken up with the construction and use of the Tabernacle. It was designed by God and constructed by men and women of great skill and knowledge. All of the fabrics were to be of blue, purple and scarlet yarns, skillfully woven and fashioned into the garments and furnishings needed. And all of this was “for beauty and for glory” (Exodus 28:2,40).
So that is the background. But why are we using these colors for Christmas? What is the connection?
Consider the statement above: The Tabernacle was God’s dwelling place. As the people of Israel moved through the wilderness they had a visible reminder of the presence of God with them. We have a better reminder, a better, more complete ‘picture’ of God among us. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14). The Tabernacle pointed forward to a time when God would take up residence with us, as a baby, lying in a manger to live as one of us, yet without sin. He would grow up, live as a child, a teenager, and an adult – and then He would offer up His life for us. For our sin.
So when you see the cloth of blue, purple and scarlet yarns in the coming weeks, remember that God doesn’t just dwell in a tent, but He came to us as a baby to dwell among us, and best of all, He sent His Spirit to dwell in us. The tabernacle was a picture of what God would do in the future for His people. And we can rejoice that we are the ones to celebrate this great gift.
