THE LORD OF LIFE

 

                Long before Christianity came to northern Europe and the British Isles, Oct 31 and Nov 1 were special days for the Celtic people. These days marked the death of summer and beginning of winter. They recognized this with a special feast named for the Celtic Lord of Death, Samhain (Sow-een). His name meant “summer’s end.” It was not, however, a happy occasion. Since winter is the season of cold, darkness and death the Celts soon made the connection with human death. The Eve of Samhain (Sow-een), Oct 31 was a time of Celtic pagan sacrifice, and a time when Lord Samhain allowed the souls of the dead to return to their earthly homes. Ghosts, witches, goblins, and elves came and frightened people. In Ireland people held a parade in which they followed a leader in a white robe with a mask from the head of an animal. They went door to door asking for food. The Scots walked through fields and villages carrying torches and lit bonfires to ward off witches and other evil spirits. From Sunset on Oct 31, when their day began, the Lord of Death reigned supreme.

                 Sometime after the Celts began honoring the Lord of Death a very different Feast began in the Mediterranean world. It too focused on death, but in a very different way. At first, it was a day to commemorate martyrs who had been killed because they refused to denounce Christ and worship the emperor. Later it expanded to remember and honor those special people named saints by the church. Eventually, the church recognized what Paul knew from the beginning – that all who profess faith in Christ are saints. They are – we are – the holy people of God. Several dates were used at first but eventually the church settled on Nov. 1 for the Feast of All Saints Day.

                 When the church came to England and spread throughout Northern Europe, the Anglo-Saxon word, “Hallows” was the name used for the Feast. They called it, “All Hallows Day,” and the evening before was called “Halloween.” We still use this word when we pray, “Hallowed be thy name … “.

                The two traditions, the feasts of Samhain and All Saints Day, clashed and are still in conflict today. For the Christian the question must be faced: who do I honor today, the Lord of Death or The Lord of Life? Is my focus on the unholy, the dark and scary things of death, on ghosts and goblins, werewolves, and zombies, or on the Holy One who not only died for us but was raised to new life? Our confession of faith answers that question as we meet the Lord of Life at His table. Here we honor and remember the Lord of Life. And we do it with all the saints. My long life and service in many churches has allowed me to know a lot of saints. I wish I could name all of them now, because I feel, as Heb. 12 says, “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses,” those who have passed on and those still living, who have chosen on this day to honor the Lord of Life. We can join them now in remembering and honoring the Lord of Life by saying together our confession of faith.

 

 

 “Samhain” pronounced Sow-een, or Sow-in (as in cow).