All Saints Day

Yesterday in church, we celebrated Halloween. Now don’t panic and think what kind of church does she attend? Children (young and old) were asked to dress up as their favorite Biblical person. I dressed as Queen Esther. There were many people who commented to me about my outfit, and a few even asked some questions about Esther. Some were willing to admit that they were not familiar with her story in scripture.

I have to admit that some adults just were not sure about the idea of dressing up. There were a lot of puzzled faces when I first announced this as a possibility. I mean how often does Halloween fall on a Sunday. So in the children’s time, I talked about All Saints' Day. I think this calmed some worried people, but as Presbyterians we often neglect to recognize this special day. We are misguided into thinking of Halloween as being connected to the devil and pagan worship. But Halloween is the Eve of the Hallow Day.

All Saints day is celebrated on November 1st. It shouldn’t just be a day that we honor, but we should celebrate. It is a day to remember and celebrate the lives of the saints. It is a time to give thanks for those who have died and yet had a profound impact on our spiritual formation. We have all be nurtured and strengthened by people on our spiritual journey. On All Saints Day we give thanks. The hymn reminds us:
For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

I take time once a year to remember those saints who have shaped me in my faith. I remember my mother who had a strong influence on my faith journey. But I also remember the quiet member of a church who each week said "good job Pastor" and gave me the confidance to follow as the Spirit is leading (and not necessarily where the congregation wanted to go).

The PCUSA has a podcast of All Saints Day Scripture that you can listen to as you meditate on the day.