As I have studied liturgical forms of worship and learned more about the traditional church calendar, I am fascinated by the way that Christians throughout time have followed the biblical model of remembering. Each week, churches that follow a more traditional form of liturgy celebrate the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, declaring Jesus’ sacrificial death through the bread and wine. Thus, each Sunday includes a tangible reminder of the gospel.
The ongoing church calendar, centered around Christ’s advent and His death and resurrection, also reorients believers to what truly matters in life. Christians deliberately remember as they engage in observations such as Advent and Lent. Likewise, the church holidays and feast days found throughout the year encourage the church to reflect on its past. One such tradition is All Saints’ Day (November 1 for the Western Church), which, in addition to All Hallows’ Eve and All Souls’ Day, is part of the triduum of holidays known as Allhallowtide. The practice of remembering the believers who have gone before us (whether officially canonized “saints” or everyday saints) is the focus of All Saints’ Day and stems from historical observances held for martyrs in the early church.
Some of us, though, may have questions about why we should celebrate the lives of Christians from the past or pause to consider them. What good can come from days set apart to remember those who have long since passed from this earth? Well, let us consider Scripture and its emphasis on drawing courage from those who have gone before. All Saints’ Day can encourage our faith if we remind ourselves of the great cloud of witnesses.
Hebrews 12 and the Great Cloud of Witnesses
A Western mindset often focuses on individualism. We define ourselves separately from others, celebrating what makes us unique and different. Yet the Christian faith is not individualistic. Multitudes of believers have gone before us, traveling the pilgrimage of life in obedience to Jesus. Cutting ourselves off from the rich history of our faith inhibits our growth and learning.
In the book of Hebrews, we find a chapter in which many faithful followers of God are listed. Commentators and teachers often refer to Hebrews 11 as the great hall of faith since it includes people like Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, prophets, and those who were persecuted for their faith. These people are the great cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 12:1, who serve as examples of faithful endurance and trust.
Interestingly, the concept of these saints serving as “witnesses” seems to imply a sense of being aware of aspects in our lives and cheering us on in our individual races. Protestants are often less inclined to favor the view of past believers acting as spectators to our lives because of the Catholic emphasis on seeking the intercession of the saints. However, the Greek word used can imply a sense of spectatorship similar to how people watch races and other sports. Even if we do not agree about their role as witnesses, we can derive encouragement from knowing that others are rooting for us. Our lives are interconnected with those who have gone before us and those who will come after.
All Saints’ Day can help us reflect on the lives of these Old Testament saints, and those from the New Testament and throughout Christian history, as we turn our eyes to Jesus and run the race set out for us (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Encouragement to Remain Steadfast in the Faith Despite Hardship
A defining characteristic of the saints in Hebrews 11 was their trust in God’s promises even when they did not see any of the promises fulfilled. Many individuals faced beatings and torture for holding onto the hope of a better resurrection (see Hebrews 11:32-40). Early martyrs in the church likewise demonstrated steadfastness and suffered death because of their commitment to Christ. The Savior had given His life to save them; how could they not but hold everything else loosely as temporary pilgrims, willing to give up their lives?
Later saints in history also stood firm amid difficulties and heartaches. Perpetua and Felicity held onto their trust in Jesus despite knowing they would be violently executed. John Donne ministered during a time when a pandemic stole the lives of countless people. William Tyndale worked toward wider access to Scripture for the everyday person despite opposition. Believers like Corrie and Betsie ten Boom found strength in Christ while suffering in a concentration camp. Each of these believers demonstrated what faith looks like in the messy brokenness of our world. For as Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (NIV).
Believers throughout time have displayed confidence in the promises of Scripture despite the pain and suffering that surrounded them. They serve as examples for the church today to stand firm in trusting Jesus. We might not see His return in our lifetime, but we can continue to wait patiently and faithfully, grasping onto the hope of a new heaven and new earth where we will dwell forever with our Savior.
Comfort in Knowing We Aren’t Alone
When we pause in our normal lives to remember believers who have gone before us and currently reside with the Lord in heaven, we learn more about our spiritual heritage. Most of us know something about our physical family history, but every believer is connected to the universal church of all time. Our roots run deep, reaching as far back as Adam and Eve and intertwining throughout time with God’s covenant people and, later, the church. The Christians we read about in history or once knew in our lives are part of a rich ancestry bound together by the blood of Christ. These are our brothers and sisters in the faith, as much a part of our family as the local believers we gather with each week.
This is encouraging news for those who experience broken relationships with family members or who struggle to feel connected to the modern church. If, as Tertullian said, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church,” then we stand on the shoulders of many faithful Christians. Our history is much more complex and richer than we may have originally assumed.
We are not alone as we seek to obey the Lord each day; there are others who have walked a similar road. Though we may encounter difficulties, we can take comfort knowing that others have endured and continued to hold to the testimony of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Countless others have prayed and worshiped despite opposition. And the lives of believers in history attest that being a follower of Christ might not make someone popular or “successful” according to worldly standards, but knowing Jesus is worth any moment of discomfort and ridicule.
All Saints’ Day reminds us of the reality that we are part of a larger family, the household of God (Ephesians 2:19-22). Learning about their history informs us about our spiritual ancestry and faith.
A Reminder That Death and Darkness Do Not Win
Churches often hold special services in honor of deceased members during Allhallowtide. These believers have died, but the church rejoices that they are alive in the presence of the Lord. As our Savior said, we will live even though we die (John 11:25).
Thinking about departed loved ones and other saints brings us into an awareness that we will all die one day. Those we care about will also one day pass away. And many believers in the past and present have endured great suffering as they face martyrdom for the cause of Christ. Scripture describes death as insatiable; it devours kings and farmers alike, not caring if someone was wicked or righteous (see Proverbs 27:20). From a temporal perspective, it can seem as if death and darkness are the victors.
Yet, the Bible promises that death will be swallowed up with life (Isaiah 25:8; 1 Corinthians 15:54). All because of what Jesus accomplished through His sacrificial death and resurrection – He gives eternal life to those who trust in Him. We can overcome because our Lord overcame and sits now with the Father on the throne (see Revelation 3:21).
Celebrating the lives of the faithful departed provides us with space to remember that though we die, we will live, and all the believers from the past are with the Lord in heaven. Together, we patiently await Jesus’ return to bring resurrection and renewal. But for now, we speak of the better and truer story than what the darkness would have us believe. Death does not win – Christ is the Victor.
What Does This Look Like in My Life––How Can I Celebrate?
Depending on individual tradition or denomination, a church may hold a special service on All Saints’ Day, as part of a series in the triduum of holidays. Some churches baptize new believers on this day, while others may light candles in honor of deceased members. Even if a person’s local church does not hold a service, there is likely one nearby that does and would welcome other Christians to worship alongside them.
Many families also encourage children to dress up as their favorite saint on this day and to learn about a believer from history. Adults, too, can participate in the fun of dressing up or by delving into the story of a saint. Often, celebrations involve participating in a church event or trunk-or-treat to receive sweets and other gifts.
A key aspect of celebrating All Saints’ Day, though, is to remember passed believers and our loved ones. Hence, many Christians visit graves on this day to place flowers or candles. Honoring loved ones through the sharing of memories over a meal is another way we can choose to observe this day with family and friends. Together, we can share stories and songs of those who are gone, giving thanks for the time we had and anticipating unbroken fellowship in the kingdom.
On All Saints’ Day, we remember and honor the saints, acknowledging that God’s promises will be fulfilled. These believers, along with others in history, did not yet receive what was promised “since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39-40, NIV). With our brothers and sisters in Christ, we patiently await that day and draw encouragement from the lives of each other.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Rena Lolivier
Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, as well as an MFA in creative writing. You can read her thoughts about literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, or visit the discipleship-based site Cultivate, where she writes with her sister.
