A Reformed View of All Saints Day

We Are Faith ^ | 2018 | Brian Dennert

[CondoleezzaProtege]

How does a Reformed Christian celebrate All Saints Day if we view all Christians as saints?

Well, it is a day that we can remember and praise God for those who have traveled before us, both those who have made great marks on the church and those how have made great marks on our lives. In some ways, American Christians might think of it akin to the American holidays like Memorial Day or Veterans Day in which we remember those men and women who have given their lives to protect the nature (Memorial Day) or who have given their time to serve (Veterans Day); we honor them and recognize them.

Similarly, we can remember those who have been martyred for their faith, knowing that their deaths often have brought the gospel forward (as the 2nd and 3rd century Christian writer Tertullian said, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church”). In addition, we can find encouragement from the examples of believers who have gone before us, recognizing that we are not alone in following Jesus; these are not just believers who made big contributions to the church, but those who have lived quiet but faithful lives. It might also be a day in which we remember brothers and sisters in the faith who have passed away this year…

In looking to those saints who have gone before us, we must always make sure we look to them as they point us to Christ.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

akin to the American holidays like Memorial Day or Veterans Day in which we remember those men and women who have given their lives to protect the nature…

I think “nature” should read “nation.”

[whitney69]

The name “All Saints’ Day” was accomplished through a gradual process of church tradition and papal decree, evolving from early commemorations of martyrs to a universal feast day for all saints. The date of November 1st was established to honor the dedication of a chapel to all saints by Pope Gregory III and later made a universal observance by Pope Gregory IV in 837 AD. The name itself, and the related “All Hallows’ Eve,” comes from the Old English word “hallow,” meaning holy.

wy69

[Larry Lucido]

Ah, so it’s “hallow-ed by thy name,” not “halloween by thy name”! Got it! :)

[xxqqzz]

There was a Celtic holiday Samhain on November 1, which began at sundown October 31. Much of Halloween traditions derive from Samhain. It is also possible that All Saints Day and November 2 All Souls Day were placed on the Celtic holiday.

All Saints Day and All Souls Day are more celebrated in Catholic countries and England. In Spain and Portugal, All Saints Day is a national holiday.

[whitney69]

The only real difference between the thoughts I think is naming at the UK of Hallow’s Eve. I’m not sure if the other countries had a name or used the one from the Islands. According to the info I could find Hallow’s Eve means “holy” or “sacred” and signified the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

wy69