The tradition of All Saints’ Day is believed to date to the eighth or ninth century. While first focused on remembering the martyrs of the early Church, it was expanded to recognize those individuals specially set aside by Rome.
In many Protestant traditions, it’s seen as an opportunity to remember any believer who has preceded us in death.
Of course, Halloween (or All Hallows’ Eve), a day which elicits strong and varied opinions from Christians, has its own origins in name and tradition from this annual sacred observance.
It can be a meaningful and wonderful tradition to remember and give thanks for the Christian saints of yesterday. That’s because we all need heroes – individuals to study, read about, and emulate. We don’t pray to them, but Scripture is very clear that we’re metaphorically encircled by them.
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,looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).
When my father was dying, a chaplain who visited him likened his final days to an Olympic runner entering the stadium for the last mile of a marathon. He encouraged my dad to envision the saints in the stands cheering him on to the finish line. The older we get and the more we invest in our faith, the greater and louder the crowd.
Since nobody is born a Christian, every believer is likely to trace their faith journey back to someone or several people who introduced them to the Lord and helped nurture their young faith. All Saints’ Day is an ideal time to reflect and give thanks for these individuals.
This special day is also an opportunity to gain some perspective. While some people are balancing and battling more difficult circumstances than others, everyone faces their share of challenges. I think that’s what William How, author of the poignant hymn, “For All the Saints,” was alluding to when he wrote:
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
However difficult the day, better and more glorious ones are coming. The struggle is real, but it is temporary.
If we’re fortunate enough, we lose loved ones in old age. But it’s still difficult to see a once vibrant parent slowly fade. You want to remember them at their peak, but time and age can take a toll. Once again, How’s lyrics reinforce the idea that the saints above bear no resemblance to the weakened ones below:
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Saints in Heaven are once more renewed and robust. The once emaciated saint with cancer will be stronger than ever before. The saint who now walks with a limp will leap with joy and ease.
C.S. Lewis observed in Mere Christianity, “How monotonously alike all the great tyrants and conquerors have been. How gloriously different are the saints.”
All Saints’ Day reminds us that a Heaven full of saints is very different – and something very wonderful for us to look forward to with great wonderment and anticipation.
But then there breaks a still more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And Amen!
