What is Reformation Sunday?

On Halloween of 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg Church. These 95 Theses expressed his concerns over corruption in the Catholic church and eventually lead to the Protestant Reformation.

Why Do We Wear Red?

Red is the liturgical color of Reformation Sunday because it represents the Holy Spirit. It also reminds us of those who have been martyred for their faith in Jesus. Most everyone can tell you why red is the color of Pentecost. The vibrant colors red, orange, and yellow all remind us of the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples as tongues of fire on that first Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). But since Reformation Sunday arrives a good twenty Sundays after Pentecost, why do we break out the red again?

Like the disciples before him, Martin Luther was led by the Holy Spirit to post his list of 95 statements (theses) concerning abuses and corrupted teachings of the Medieval Roman Catholic church of the 1500, on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. And through his act of obedience the Reformation of the Christian Church began.

Red is the liturgical color of Reformation Sunday because it represents the Holy Spirit. It also reminds us of those who have been martyred for their faith in Jesus. And all of us have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

How Else Can I Recognize This Day?

• Learn more about Martin Luther. Read a biography or the 95 Theses.
• Read up on the Reformation. Dive into texts about the history of Lutheranism.
• Sing Reformation hymns. Martin Lurther was a prolific songwriter and wrote several hymns including A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and By Grace Alone. 

we celebrate Reformation Sunday.