With all things spooky being in the stores and media for the last weeks, we seem to forget where the word ‘Halloween’ actually comes from.
It comes from ‘All-Hallows-Even’ meaning the evening before the ‘more important’ festival day of All Saints – celebrated in the Protestant Church on the 1st November (followed by All Souls Day on the 2nd). All Saints has been celebrated in the UK from the 8th century – whereas the earliest records of ‘Samhain’ (the Celtic Harvest festival and celebration of the shortening of the days) are from the 10th century!
I think we’re missing a trick (and a real treat!) by not celebrating All Saints properly. In many Catholic countries it’s still traditional to light candles and take flowers (or even a picnic!) to the graves of relatives – not to be morbid – but to remember them and celebrate their lives.
But as Christians we have some even better to celebrate!
Hebrews 11 (God’s Hall of Fame!) reminds us of many of the the ‘saints’ and witnesses who’s stories are told in the Bible and Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to carry on our journey of faith
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
So on this All Saints day, let’s remember those ‘saints’ in the Bible, and also from our own lives, who have gone before us and been examples of how to live our lives for God.
Do you have a favourite ‘Saint’ from the Bible?
Have you had a ‘Saint’ you’ve known in your life who’s helped with your Christian journey?
[Image via Kavitha Shivan]
Ruben Nuñez says
Happy All saints day! What a great day for us to remember all those holy men and women that came before us, and lead us by example to Christ.