We need to be
re-formed in God’s presence, not removed FROM His presence. So it is with our
holidays. While the reformation rightly removed many saints’ days, several of
our holidays need to be reformed, and not removed.
The church began to
celebrate All saints day in the 300s, celebrating the victorious saints at rest
with Christ. Over time, superstition and error came in. All Hallow’s Eve turned
into Halloween. Like Mardi Gras revelry before Lent’s piety, Halloween became
the devil’s last stand before the celebration of the holy ones in glory.
So let’s get the big
picture here on the Christian church year.
It begins Dec 1 with advent and Xmas, when we celebrate the coming of
the light of the world at our coldest and darkest hour. We then celebrate Christ’s
death and resurrection in the spring, the time of new life. We celebrate
Pentecost at the beginning of summer, when God cultivates our new life in the
Spirit. Summer is the time of growth. Fall is when the harvest comes in, and we
have All Saints Day to remember those who have entered their rest, and
thanksgiving for the harvest. Meanwhile Satan makes one last grab at the end of
history. This is Halloween. All of history is dramatized in the church year,
and it is all pointing to the vindication of Christ’s saints, as they appear
with Christ, when He comes again. We need to reform and recover All Saints day.
Let us return thanks to God for fruitful saints now at rest with Christ, and
look with hope to our joining them in the immediate presence of Christ one day.
10/31/22
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