All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Day, is on November 1 on the Church’s Calendar. It is where Halloween, or All Hallows’ Eve, gets its name. It is also referred to as the Feast of the Saints because we give thanks for the saints who have gone before us. We are thankful for how they cared for us, how they taught us, and how they continue to teach us.
We will celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 2 because it is the closest Sunday to All Hallows’ Day. As we do each year, we will call out the names of the saints of Auburn First Baptist who have passed away in the previous twelve months. It is an opportunity to give thanks for them as well as to remember the saints in our lives.
We will light a candle for them in the same way we light the candle of Christ at the beginning of worship. We will recognize how the light of Christ can be seen in the light of our lives. We are able to reflect the love of Christ as we care for one another and walk alongside each other.
As we remember the saints of the church, and of our lives, we are not only nostalgic, but also, we are recognize the people in our lives who have shaped us in significant ways. They are family members, close friends, and members of the family of faith. We could sit down and make of list of the saints who have gone before us, giving thanks for them; and we could also write down a list of the saints who are still with us.
We can take this opportunity to write a note, or to say a personal word, of gratitude to them. All Saints’ Day invites us to see how precious our time together can be. We can take this opportunity to share and articulate how valuable the people in our lives can be
Words of gratitude and appreciation speak of the love of Christ. It is giving thanks for the gift of community and friendship, and how the love of Christ can be seen and experienced through them!
-Tripp