Holy Week: A Visual Path to Worship
Barely a few days ago, the Western Christian Church sounded forth a proclamation of victory. A call which will be echoed shortly by their Eastern brethren on May 2nd. Though fewer handshakes and hugs accompanied its release than in the past, still it was heard. Text messages, zoom connections, and social media posts spread the time-honored call and response, "Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed!"
Within two thousand years, much has changed - moreover is changing - especially with the emergence of Covid19. But praise God the message of the cross and the victory of Christ remain the same. The potency of Jesus' sacrifice has not been diminished. The empty cross still means as much today as it did the day Jesus walked out of the tomb.
Did your Easter celebration mirror the wonder, majesty, and power won through Jesus' resurrection? Perhaps you met with others or kneeled in prayer by yourself. Maybe, given the times in which we live, the days ran together and, admittedly, you forgot. (If so, it's not too late. Believers have the blessing of celebrating Easter every day as they journey with Christ.) Gratefully, I found myself worshipping amongst fellow believers. Although, for many, that was not the case.
The need for separation during these confusing times is generally accepted, but I fear the impact of required absences during Holy Week may have been felt in a deeper, personal way. Statistics have long shown that more people are predisposed to attend church on Christmas (not part of Holy Week but the introductory bookend to Jesus' earthly life) and Easter than any other Sunday in the year.
These are special holidays. They deserve remembrance within the rhythms of the church. However, more importantly, these events are worth intimate recollection because of what they mean for us. Not just because they are tradition but because without Christ's incarnation (His coming in human flesh) and redemption (His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection from the tomb), humanity is completely without hope. Christmas and Easter are times when we recall how history was changed forever because God lovingly touched our broken world. He visibly performed dynamic miracles (Seriously, we're talking a blazing constellation and an earthquake that made dead people walk!) in the sight of many, and the visual focal point was none other than Jesus himself. God told these stories in more than black and white script. They were not just written; they were experienced. God employed multiple modalities to make sure His message was understood and accompanied by an appropriate sense of wonder.
Before Resurrection Sunday passes too far beyond our collective frame of memory, let's pause and consider how we observed the presentation of Christ's final days. What methods did your church use to share Jesus' journey to the cross? Hopefully, there was singing, but what else?
Maybe it's time to reconsider using visuals as invitations to corporate and personal worship. In the remainder of this article, you will encounter both liturgical and contemporary examples that apply to the observance of Holy Week. These are entry points into a larger conversation; simple suggestions but useful ideas for both ministry leaders and artists serving in the church. However, they are only ideas. Each church is different, and some applications may fit better in one denomination than another. The important thing is to start the conversation, be open to communicating truth by way of new methods, and caring for the visual learners amongst us.
Palm Sunday
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. Matthew 21:1-9 recalls how Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on a colt. To the tune of people shouting “Hosanna!” and the sight of waving palm branches, Christ was lauded by the crowd. Excitement was high, but little did they know that His journey to the cross had begun. As you remember the events of this special day, consider how the following may help bring it alive for your church family.
Teaching through Colors - Traditionally, many churches will use red or purple vestments and coverings from the beginning of Lent through Palm Sunday. These colors are symbols of preparation, sorrow, and repentance. They remind the viewer to prepare their heart prior to encountering Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf. However, these colors also have connections to the biblical ideas of divinity, royalty, and victory. Such an understanding can aid in recalling Christ’s divinity as the son of God, His royalty within the line of David, and His impending victory over Satan. While either application can be useful in teaching biblical truth, it is important to provide adequate instruction to support their use. Sadly, the meaning of such adornments is often outside the average attenders' comprehension. Take a few moments to reiterate what they mean within your context.
Teaching through Symbols - The church is rich in symbolic heritage. In the biblical story, the waving of palm branches was significant. Palms are a symbol of victory. Many churches have adopted the practice of using palm leaves within their worship. When distributed to the congregation and waved in victory, these simple fronds provide pageantry, engage kinesthetic intelligence, and represent symbolic heritage. Additionally, you might consider an art installation that reinforces the use of this imagery.
Teaching through Artistic Reinforcement and Response - Any teacher will tell you that knowledge is important but not nearly as important as the ability to apply it. Activities that allow participants to continue dwelling on a topic in new and varied ways can aid in the comprehension of a larger subject. Unfortunately, traditional American ways of doing church often signal the conclusion of an event when the service is over rather than an opportunity to pause and dwell on the truth that has been shared. Art can be a helpful bridge at this juncture. Consider a time of fellowship that leads to using the palms in an art journaling project. Some traditions instruct congregants to save their palms to be burnt at the following year’s Ash Wednesday observance. If so, it has become common practice to dwell on the day’s meaning while shaping the frond into a cross. Doing so creates a visual reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and victory to be cherished throughout the year ahead. This link provides an easy look at how to make your own palm cross.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the day we remember the physical death of Jesus. It is good not because death is good but because by His death, Jesus made a way for humanity to be reconciled to God. It is a day in which we internalize sorrow, perceiving the role of our sins in the death and suffering of Christ. It is a day in which we are invited to grieve, yet in the hopeful knowledge that Resurrection Sunday is coming. Given the serious tone of Good Friday, how do we incorporate visual intelligence into our observance? We have a few ideas.
Teaching through Color (or the absence of color) - We’ve all heard the phrase “less is more.” When it comes to communicating, color can be a powerful element, but its absence can be just as meaningful. The traditional use of red or purple on Palm Sunday was mentioned earlier, but Good Friday is a time when sacred space speaks best by being completely stripped of its adornments or draped in black. Without color providing comfort, a place is created for the heart to grieve.
Teaching through Symbols - The cross is the symbol most commonly connected with Good Friday. It is often draped in black fabric to mirror the overall worship space but could be used in more tactile ways, too. I have known ministry leaders who have distributed nails to their congregation with an invitation to hammer the nail into the cross. This simple act has proven effective in helping worshippers acknowledge the role of their personal sin in Jesus' crucifixion.
Another effective symbol is that of light. In the Bible, John repeatedly speaks of Jesus as the light of the world. In John 1:5, it says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (ESV). Praise God for this encouraging declaration! However, doesn't it seem we occasionally take the light for granted? Sometimes the best way to help someone notice what they've neglected is to remove it for a moment, then reintroduce it. While the darkness of Satan's domain cannot repel the goodness of Jesus' light, there was a moment in which it appeared to the contrary: Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday.
The colorless space described above is an ideal setting for a traditional Tenebrae service, otherwise known as a service of shadows. Illuminating the sanctuary through the glow of multiple candles, the congregation journeys with Jesus toward the cross. Verses describing the steps of Christ are read one by one, a candle extinguished at the conclusion of each passage. When the account of Jesus' death has been read and the final candles blown out, a gong or cymbal clangs as if to say, "It is finished." The congregation, contemplating the sacrifice of Christ, leaves in silence. This sense of loss creates a beautiful contrast to the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter morning.Teaching through Artistic Reinforcement and Response - A popular trend during the pandemic has been displaying temporary art outside. Allowing creative work to be viewed in this way provides space for social distancing. This trend also fits well with the historical practice of erecting the stations of the cross. Around the late 1600's to early 1700's, a tradition began in Italy of remembering Christ's crucifixion journey through the 14 stations of the cross. These individual markers represent the events that led Jesus to His death. However, because of a difference in doctrine, Protestants tend to limit the display to eight stations, so it more closely aligns with Luke's account in the Bible. Consider tasking a group of artists within your church to create devotional art representing each of the events Jesus encountered. For extra impact, brainstorm a creative project or sensory experience to accompany the viewing of the art at each individual station.
Easter Sunday
Holy Week would be nothing more than a bad memory if it weren't for Easter/ Resurrection Sunday. Hallelujah! We have a RISEN Savior! Truth be told, as an artist looking back at past encounters, I have noticed that Easter Sunday tends to be a day lacking in visual excitement. Friends, this shouldn't be. All that we believe hangs on the resurrection of Christ! Each of our senses should find an outlet for celebration. Let's explore some beginning ideas for bringing art back to the party.
Teaching through Color - Liturgically speaking, it's time for the absent or black coverings to be replaced with those of white fabric. But moreover, after a time of mourning, it is now time for color to sing! Seek out ways to creatively bring garden hues into your space as reminders that you have gathered to celebrate a living Lord.
Teaching through Symbols - There are multiple symbols appropriate for Easter Sunday. They range from lilies to lambs, from empty crosses to crowns. Each has its own special message to contribute to our celebration. One way to bring color into your worship space and didactically instruct through the symbols is the use of pageantry. Because Poiema Visual Arts works with so many different denominations, I can hear some of you now, "We don't do that at our church. We're not flag-waving, tambourine clanging holy-rollers!" Slow down for just a moment. The use of banners needn't alter your musical preference or practice. When tastefully displayed on the platform or outer walls of the sanctuary, they add a unique sense of occasion to a most special service. However, let me reiterate that the displayed symbols are little more than decoration if instruction is not provided.
Teaching through Artistic Reinforcement and Response - Let's be honest, by the time the Easter Sunday service is ending, most of us are running for the door in anticipation of a festive lunch. Given this quirk in our programming, it is best to think about artistic reinforcement and response in terms of "pre" and "post." Pre refers to those artistic activities attempted prior to the service by a select group. They allow church members to use their gifts in unique ways that edify the rest of the body. In the previous section, we mentioned pageantry. Instead of buying pre-made banners, task a few individuals to work on them together. Perhaps a temporary mural project could be used to visually share the narrative of the resurrection. Since Jesus arose from a garden tomb, curating a gallery of art depicting flowers may be yet another idea. "Post" artistic reinforcement could include giving a do-it-yourself craft project to children as they leave the service or allowing a group of creatives to gather in the week that follows to begin working on art inspired by encounters with their risen Lord.
Conclusion
Holy Week has now passed by most of us. However, it is worth brainstorming how to make future observances vibrant and memorable. After all, we worship a creative, risen Lord!
