Its History and Connection to Halloween
I want to share with you about a day that has almost been forgotten: “All Saints’ Day.” This day was once widely celebrated and is traditionally dedicated to remembering and honoring the faithful who came before us—when I mean faith-filled, I mean Christian faith-ful. But what is All Saints’ Day, and why is it such a mystery to most (51% or more) people today?
Historically, “All Saints’ Day” is celebrated to honor all saints, known and unknown, whose lives were examples for people who wish to take their lives to the next level. Observed on November 1, this day was a special time for communities to reflect on the examples set by these “saints” and how their lives continue to inspire us today. Please note that in some countries, this day is still heralded. Yet, despite its rich heritage, “All Saints Day” is relatively unknown, especially compared to the holiday that now precedes it—Halloween.
The declining popularity of “All Saints’ Day” can be attributed to the rise of Halloween in Western culture. Initially, the evening before “All Saints’ Day” was known as “All Hallows’ Eve,” which eventually evolved into “Halloween.” As Halloween grew in popularity, traditions such as costumes, trick-or-treating, and various festivities overshadowed “All Saints’ Day” and shifted the focus away from its true Godly spiritual significance within the Christian community. Essentially, Halloween’s commercialization and cultural prominence in the 20th century have diminished the widespread observance of “All Saints’ Day.” Go figure! This should be disturbing to you, if not upsetting.
However, understanding the roots of “All Saints’ Day” adds a meaningful layer to what we now know as Halloween, or as I’ve begun to refer to it, “All Saints’ Eve.” In an episode of our “Beyond the Church” podcast, The Great Halloween Debate, we explored this topic with a twist. The goal of the conversation, which is the goal of this post, is twofold: 1) take back this day that has been taken from us and 2) restore a Christian-honored day that brings attention to those who have inspired us to take our lives to the next level.
Question: What are your thoughts on “All Saints’ Day?”
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