Halloween and All Saints' Day

Halloween means so many things to so many different people that some Christians are perplexed about how to observe it, if it should be observed at all. More and more Christians are rediscovering the ancient connection between Halloween and All Saints’ Day.

In the seventh century, All Saints’ Day was first observed to honor all those who had been designated as saints but did not have a particular day dedicated to them. In the ninth century, All Saints’ Day was placed on the calendar on November 1. The preceding day, October 31, which had been observed as the Celtic festival of Samhain, was renamed All Hallows’ eve, or Halloween. (Hallow is an archaic word for saint.) Around the year 1000, the church began to observe All Souls’ Day on November 2.

More and more churches are reclaiming Halloween’s relationship with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, and are using it as a time to acknowledge the power of death and celebrate our victory over death through Christ. “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor. 15:54b-55).

Drawing on the apostle Paul’s use of “saints” in the New Testament, most Protestants consider anyone who belongs to Christ a saint, not just an individual who has been recognized by the church for living an exemplary life of faith. Many churches use November 1, or the Sunday closest to that day, as a day to remember and celebrate their members who have died over the past year and to celebrate the victory their loved ones have won over death through Christ’s death and resurrection. When the Lord’s Supper is celebrated, the living are reminded that, at the Lord’s Table, they share that “mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won.” (I am indebted to Pastor Steve Lytch who wrote a Sunday School lesson about Halloween for thethoughtfulchristian.com.)

On Sunday, November 2, New Hope Baptist Church will observe All Saints’ Day in our morning worship service. We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper and remember church members, family, and friends who have died during the last year. Worshippers will be invited to come to a table with a light-of-Christ candle in the center and light a small candle in memory of someone who has died. Please be with us to reclaim this important celebration of our loved ones’ victory over death through Christ.