A Story for All Hallows Eve

by Sarah Nyhan

Many years ago, there lived people who believed that there were spirits everywhere.  There were spirits in every rock and tree, in the sky and in the earth.  The people thought that some of these spirits were kind and generous, and some could be mean and hurtful  As the people moved through each year, they would offer their thanks to these spirits when things went well, and would perform special ceremonies to keep spirits happy so they would not do them harm

In the fall of the year, people would harvest their crops and prepare for the long winter ahead.  They knew they were passing from the time of light and long days that was the summer to the time of darkness and long nights in the winter

This was a time to celebrate the coming of a new year, to give thanks for the harvest, and also to remember all of their ancestors who had died.  Some believed the spirits might show themselves during harvest celebrations, so they would build bonfires and light lanterns to frighten any mischievous spirits away.  Some of these lanterns were made from turnips and gourds that had been a part of the harvest.  Some people wore masks and costumes so that naughty spirits would not recognize them and play tricks on them.  Sometimes these traditions were fun and sometimes they were scary.

When the church began, its followers set out to spread the word of God to people everywhere.  The church wanted to show people that there was only ONE God for them to worship, one God everywhere and in everything. 

Just as those early people had done, the church had set aside a day to remember all of our ancestors who had died, and they set the date of their celebration to fall at the end of the harvest.  The church called this All Saint’s Day – a time to remember all the special believers who came so close to God – those whose names we know and those whose names we don’t.  Some continued to dress up on the night before All Saint’s or All Hallows Day - called All Hallows Eve - and they might go to their neighbors’ houses.  They began a practice of collecting treats called “soul cakes” and would say a prayer for the ancestors of those who gave them the treats. 

As time passed, many people traveled from countries in Europe to live in what is now the United States – where we live.  They brought many traditions with them, which then changed over time.  All Hallows Eve we now call Halloween.  The gourd lanterns are now Jack o’Lanterns, made from the plentiful pumpkins that grow here.  Dressing up and collecting soul cakes is now a time for children to dress up in costumes and collect candy – what we call trick or treating.

Mostly people think all of this is just for fun – though people still might find parts of it a little scary.

We don’t need to be afraid though, for God is with us, and all of the celebrating should really be for God, and for all of the heroes and saints of the church who have come before us.

God watches over us every night of the year – including the night of Halloween..

Dear God

Thank you God for all of the good food that you provide for us, and for all of those who work to harvest it.

We give you thanks for all those who have come before us, for all those who walk beside us, and all those who will follow in our footsteps as we try our best to come close to God and listen for his directions.

AMEN