Tomorrow will be the day, October 31, All Saints Eve.  Or let’s be honest, we all know it much better as Halloween.  Pumpkins, ghosts, black cats and witches decorate the stores.  Kids have decided on this year’s costume.  And candy.  Oh yes, lots of candy.  But how did this holiday come about?

In the 16th century Christians adapted an age-old festival held on October 31, calling it “All Hallows Eve” or “All Saints Eve”.    They set this time aside to remember the dead, not in a spooky or scary fashion, but in a grateful manner for the lives they had led.  They remembered the saints and the martyrs, but they also remembered all the faithful departed.

There have been those over the years who used this as a time to pray to the departed, to ask the dead to intercede for them.   Well, our Lord Jesus Christ has done it all for us . . . we have the privilege of talking directly to Him!  We need no intercessor.

But this doesn’t preclude us from pausing to remember those who have gone before us, and to express our gratitude to the Lord for the love and guidance they have given.  I think first of my own parents and grandparents, each a blessing to me in a different way.   Remembering friends who have gone on before me brings a tear to my eye, but warm memories as well.  We remember the saints who rest in our own Memorial Garden, as well as those in our family grave sites across the country.  As my mind wanders the list becomes endless:  pastors, teachers, neighbors, and back to the Gospel writers themselves who gave us the incomparable story of our Lord Jesus Christ.   Lord, fill my heart with thankfulness for all of these dearly departed saints, especially this week on All Saints Eve.

Remember you too are God’s beloved.  You are “hallowed” or made holy by the loving, saving grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  You are loved by God tonight, tomorrow, and forever.  God loves you unconditionally.

Judy