From the Headmaster’s Desk
October 31st –
Anno domini nostri ‘Iesu Christi
Two Thousand Twenty-One
“Ceremony is the solution.” Joshua Gibbs
Our annual Reformation Day is coming up on Friday October 29! Wahoo!
Theme this year? All Hallows Eve in Germany, England and Scotland
I would like to give a historical backdrop behind the dates October 31 and November 1 and how this relates to our Reformation Day celebration. I’ll speak to what a “holiday” even means. Historically, it means “Holy-day.” If you want to know what your kids can dress up as and the heart of our theme this year, then read on!
As the world around us is rather confused, divided and frustrated it is a relief to know that the Lord sits on His throne, lofty and exalted with Seraphim and a multitude of celestial beings continually worshipping Him, crying out:
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory…”
Jesus Christ, the LORD God omnipotent, reigns here on earth from Heaven. All authority in Heaven and on earth belongs to Him. Our world is still full of glory because of the rule of Father, Son and Spirit. He is stable when we are not.
The practice of celebrating fellow Christians who have gone before us, our Christian history and the consistent regularity of the seasons is to remember that God is on His throne, He directs history and He is faithful.
We celebrate “The Reformation” here because it was a time of great renewal and life for the Church in the 16th Century. It was a time of great upheaval but incredible fruit rose above it all as history pressed into the ensuing centuries. There is a good deal of rather interesting history behind October 31 (Halloween) and Nov. 1 (All Saints Day) and below will serve as background for why we love this season.
On October 31st, the eve of All Saints, All Hallows Eve (shortened Halloween) came right before "All Hallows Day" (Nov. 1, AllSaints Day). In the Medieval period, festivities would begin around that time, mocking the realm of demons and the triumph of the saints and their souls’ freedom.
All Saints Day was the day to recognize so many martyrs slaughtered by the wicked. So many Christians had been martyred by the 300's AD that they chose the first day after Pentecost to honor all of them. The day was moved to Nov. 1 at the dedication of the Chapel of All Saints in Rome in 741 AD.
We’re remembering this year the saints from the Reformation era in England, Scotland and Germany. So when we celebrate Reformation Day (even though it’s on Oct 29) we’re also celebrating All Saints Day dressing up as Christians from this period: reformers, peasants, churchmen from all sides of the era, or martyrs of old who died and whose deaths symbol Christ's death overcoming the world.
The more folks dress up the better! The costumes can be many things but they need to be limited to 1500’s England, Scotland or Germany. These are the particular countries and saints from these countries, we’re remembering. So, study up on a particular person from this great era and have your kids come as such!
Halloween is not a religious holiday, it's a kitsch one. Sure, there are neo-pagans that dig deep into witchcraft and try to make a big deal out of it, but that's not the norm. We celebrate not Halloween, but All Hallows Eve. The Reformation finds its decisive beginning with Martin Luther in Germany on Oct. 31st, in 1517. We’re rejoicing in all of God’s saints from this particular era and place. Okay, we’ll throw in Scotland and England too. Bring on the St. George costumes, Calvin, Augustine and Aquinas (our four Houses) are fine too. Bring on the kilts!
So, Christians don't fear demons. They see it for what it is and they mock it by the victory and celebration of Christ Jesus.
Pagans have long since attempted at turning Christian holidays into lame attempts at their own holidays. The best way to counter secular attempts at a rival celebration is not to hunker down and be known for rejection of celebrations.Why would a Christian reject celebrating "Easter" because others out there are making a bid deal about Easter bunnies and not saying anything about the resurrection of Christ? We would want to say that our feasts should be way more fun, more loud, more cool, more … everything. We model the day to all showing what it both is and should be all about.
The world revolves around the Christian calendar, at the very least: All Saints Day, The Feast of Christmas, Epiphany, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day, and Pentecost.
So, seize the opportunity to be neighborly this week. Give out more and bigger candy than everyone else on the block! Be warm. Get names. Offer some cider to strangers. Carve your pumpkins more creatively than anybody.
Remember, there is a reason why Martin Luther nailed the “95 Theses” on the church door in Wittenburg on the very date, October 31, 1517. He was saying something against the kingdom of darkness. He didn't hole himself up in his study with the glory of God in Christ Jesus and turn the lights off..
Let's show the difference of real culture here at Saint Abraham’s, the culture of Christ!
Mr. Alexander