Today is the Feast of All Saints, a beautiful feast day where we lovingly remember martyrs and saints who faithfully served the Lord and are now in His glorious presence.
What is All Saints' Day?
Originally All Saints' Day was a day set aside to remember the martyrs of the early church, who had given their lives for their faith in Christ. Today we remember not only these martyrs, but all the faithful who have died in Christ, encompassing the faithful in the Bible, the early church, the more recent past, and even friends or family members who are now in heaven. What Memorial Day is to America, All Saints’ Day is to the Church, a day of remembrance and thankfulness.
Every Sunday we confess that we believe in “the communion of saints” which is to say a spiritual union of all of the members of the Church. This communion includes the living, the Church Militant, and those who have died in the faith of Christ—the Church Triumphant. We are knit together with the saints in the mystical body of Christ. Saint Paul says in his letter to the congregations in Corinthian, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Cor. 10:16-17).
What is a Saint?
All who are in Christ are saints (1 Cor. 1:2). The word “saint" is derived from a Greek verb (hagiazo) whose basic meaning is “to set apart, " “sanctify,” or “make holy." This title doesn't just belong to a select few Christians but to each and every person who has been forgiven and made holy in Christ Jesus.
Why celebrate All Saints' Day?
All Saints' Day is a great opportunity to reflect on God's faithfulness, to thank Him for the example of faithful believers, and to be inspired by this example. This could be a great time to share with your kids about a faithful grandparent or mentor who God used to draw you closer to Him. You might want to read the story of a faithful saint from the Bible, or a biography of a missionary or early church figure. As we retell the story of the faithful Christians who have gone before, we give our children (and ourselves) a vision for what God could do through us, and our hearts are drawn in faith and praise to Him for His work throughout the ages in ordinary individuals just like us.
How can we celebrate All Saints' Day?
Here are a few ideas to choose from for celebrating this day with your family:
1) Attend a service at a church that celebrates the Feast of All Saints. At Trinity this Sunday we will celebrate this joyous occasion.
2) Read and discuss a passage of Scripture that talks about the saints throughout time, such as: Revelation 7:2-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12.
3) Read a biography about a famous Christian from history. Here are a few of our favorites:
Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Richard Hannula
Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie DePaola
Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World by Paul Maier
The Simonetta Carr biographies
Missionary biographies
4) Share about the life of a faithful Christian you knew personally who is now in heaven, and take a moment to thank God as a family for this saint.
5) Host a party where the kids dress up like their favorite saint and tell their stories.
6) Visit the resting place of a love one who died in Christ and give thanks to God for their life. This is a good time to teach your children about the hope of the resurrection!
7) Pray with your family the Collect for All Saints (we will also pray this on Sunday)
Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Let's take some time this November 1st to thank God for the faithful that make up the body of Christ; in heaven and on earth, famous or little known, and to be encouraged to trust in His faithfulness to help us and our children run the race He has for us!
A few hymns for this day: