And in recent years, since the world wars passed into history and the nuclear threat began to fade, this type of image, a kind of faded green image, has been more on people's agenda. But this present time has perhaps a unique blending of those two ideas. We're aware, perhaps as never before, of the vast speed with which we're using up the earth's natural resources. But in the early years of this new millenium, there are also uneasy feelings of doom, of the possibility of a cataclysmic end to this present age. And with the knowledge that some world powers reportedly have the capability of eradicating every human being from the earth, those feelings of doom may not be so far-fetched.
Advent can be quite a sombre time in many ways.
In the Church's year, it's regarded as a time for reflection, for stepping back and preparing for the coming of God into human life at Christmas. If any of us are to prepare for the coming of God, then penitence must surely form a part of that preparation. Hence the liturgical colour during Advent is purple. But Advent is pretty sombre in the secular world, too. All that anxiety about choosing the right Christmas presents for the right people.