It’s October! For many people, this is the season of jack-o-lanterns, autumn wreaths, scary ghost stories, decorative bowls full of chocolates and buying costumes for the kiddies. It’s Halloween time! Now, whether or not your family chooses to partake in these traditions, Halloween, also known as All Hallow’s Eve, comes before the celebration of an often forgotten holiday: All Saints Day. All Saints Day is the time in the Church’s liturgical year where we remember the saints or “hallows”, martyrs of the faith, and all of those Christians who have already passed away and are presumed to be in Heaven.
It was in the eighth century that a special day was created for the feast of All Saints. This time of year was chosen, it is supposed, because it was the time of barrenness on the earth [1]. The harvest was in, the summer done, the world brown and drab and mindful of death. Snow had not yet descended to comfort and hide the bony trees or blackened fields; so with little effort man could look about and see a meditation on death and life hereafter.
Being raised Catholic, the saints and their stories were always a big part of my life. Fascinating men and women who lived their lives for Christ, had huge influences within the church, and for many, were martyred for their faith.
Now, as an Evangelical Christian, I hear a lot less about the saints and their stories. Should they be forgotten? Historically they have had a huge impact on the Church—no matter what church you attend. Maybe it’s a good thing to learn about these early Christians, and look into how they lived their lives and the many contributions they made to the Church as well as society. As I think about saints, the following verse from Hebrews 12:1 comes to mind:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
While we are all apart of Christ’s royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), All Saints Day gives us an opportunity to remember Christians, throughout history, who have helped advance the Gospel and the Kingdom of God.
In the coming weeks, leading up to All Saints Day on November 1, I’ll write about our brothers and sisters in Christ who have had such an impact on the world and the church. Maybe this year our kids can learn a little more about All Saints Day, and how many of these ordinary people, as ordinary as you or I, made the ultimate sacrifice because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
Lisa Strnad is a weekly contributor to the What’s in the Bible and JellyTelly blogs. She is a homeschooling mom of two, who works independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville. Her blog, Talking Like A Girl, is currently being restructured.
