Inspired by the opening verses of Philemon, I offer a brief reflection on Halloween and offer us a chance to think of our saints earlier than we otherwise might.
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As you probably all know, today is October 31, the day we call Halloween. In our contemporary time, this is a day for partying and revelry, for costumes and candy, for treats and occasional tricks. We thrill to see children dressed up as a favorite character or some sort of make-believe creature. We enjoy spooky sights and sounds. And maybe we enjoy dressing ourselves up and celebrating an evening of fun with friends.
As you probably all know, today is October 31, the day we call Halloween. In our contemporary time, this is a day for partying and revelry, for costumes and candy, for treats and occasional tricks. We thrill to see children dressed up as a favorite character or some sort of make-believe creature. We enjoy spooky sights and sounds. And maybe we enjoy dressing ourselves up and celebrating an evening of fun with friends.
And maybe some of you also know that Halloween was not always a day of fun and costumes and candy.
In the Jewish tradition that carried over into the early church, days actually begin in the evening. This is why even though the Sabbath is on Saturday, many Jewish synagogues have services on what we would today consider Friday evening, But according to Jewish tradition, Saturday, the day of Sabbath, actually begins in the evening. So when the sun goes down on Friday, it actually becomes Saturday evening.
This tradition was carried on in the church for many years, and gives us some of the holidays we are familiar with. For example, Christmas Eve is merely a shortened form of Christmas Evening and was traditionally celebrated after sundown the evening before Christmas morning. And it is the same with Halloween.
In many traditions, November 1 is celebrated as All Saints Day. It is a time to celebrate all of the saints that have entered the kingdom ahead of us - both those revered by the church universal as saints as well as those saints from our own lives and communities. Also called All Hallows Day, Hallowed being another word for Holy, the evening before became All Hallows Eve or Evening which eventually was shortened into the word Halloween.
As we think about those that have gone before us, those who have been big S saints and those that have been more personal to us, we give thanks for all they have passed on to us. We give thanks for their faithfulness, for their encouragement, for their example. And we give thanks especially for their love.
Like Paul writing to Philemon, we give thanks every time we mention them in our prayers because of their love and faithfulness.
Take a moment to consider those that have been saints for you. Consider the places where their influence is still present in your life.
While many still celebrate this day with costumes and candy, we can approach this night reminded of the many who have gone before us, those who have blazed the trail of faith and left us with a path to follow. And maybe we can pick up a few pieces of candy along the way.