Weekly Reflection - 10/30/24
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. David Erickson
The Holy in Halloween!
The wonderful chaos that is Halloween is once again upon us, and I was delighted that Sandy Stadtfeld, our children’s homilist this past Sunday, reminded us of the origins of this holiday.
Halloween’s history is long and intertwined with ancient customs, religious beliefs, and folk traditions. Its roots date back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”), celebrated in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. Samhain marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, a time when the Celts believed the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to roam the earth. To ward off harmful spirits, people dressed in costumes and lit bonfires, practices that laid the groundwork for modern Halloween traditions.
With the spread of Christianity, Samhain was merged with All Saints' Day (also called All Hallows' Day), which the church designated on November 1 to honor saints and martyrs. The night before became known as All Hallows' Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween. Many Samhain customs, such as dressing up, continued, though their meaning shifted with the times.
What is slightly ironic these days is that many non-denominational churches celebrate “harvest festivals” instead of Halloween, because they feel Halloween is not Christian. But in reality, Halloween, or All Hallow’s Eve, was created as an option to pagan harvest festivals!! My how the wheel turns.
I do hope you will enjoy Halloween, whether you are out and about trick or treating, or at your home awaiting to give candy away. I also hope you will join us on Sunday morning to celebrate five baptisms and the chorus of All the Saints that surrounds us all the time. And then come back in the evening for our incredible All Souls Service as we honor the dead through beautiful worship and music. There is indeed much holiness in this holiday of Halloween!
The Rev. David Erickson
