Color of Autumn

In the beginning God said “Let there be light and there was light” Genesis 1:3. But it wasn’t until 1666 when English scientist Sir Isaac Newton discovered that when pure white light passes through a prism, it separates into all of the visible colors. Newton also found that each color is made up of a single wavelength and cannot be separated any further into other colors. As Jesus radiated the prismic glory of God, because in Him is light and as Christians we are ‘salt and light’ to the world. As Jesus is visible in me, there is color.

In an autumn season, we see leaves changing colors blending into an array of beauty especially as the sunlight hits them. Breathtaking landscaped horizons in every direction give me pause for prayer and appreciation to the God of light for letting me be a part of that light.


Further experiments demonstrated that light could be combined to form other colors. For example, red light mixed with yellow light creates an orange color. A color resulting from a mix of two other colors is known as a metamer. Some colors, such as yellow and purple, cancel each other out when mixed and result in a white light. These competing colors are known as complements. Surely, there is a spiritual application here. Christians are colorful, some colors are metamer and some are complements. Some are warm colors and some are cool colors. Understanding that each color is separate visible radiance of light lends a colorful picture of the beauty of holiness and Christ in us the hope of glory.