Did you know that the Reformation of the Church was started on Halloween? If you knew good for you! Do you know why? When Martin Luther posted his 95 points of debate (famously called The 95 Theses) he chose to do that on Halloween and for a very good reason.

I’m sure many have heard the tales of Halloween being a pagan holiday, the devil’s day, or any of the several “explanations” of this celebration. How did this festival really start? The answer is found in Christian history. It actually all began in the year 610.

It was at that time the Church chose a day in the month of May to remember all those brave people who refused to deny their faith, and gave their life for what they believed and knew to be true, that being Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. About 200 years later the date was moved to Nov. 1 and was called All Saints’ Day. A day to remember the heroes of the Christian faith who died proclaiming Christ and Him crucified [1 Corinthians 2:2] .

Now ‘Eve’ is an old English word that means: the day before. ‘Hallow’ is a very old English word that means: “saint.” So Hallow-Eve (Halloween) is the day before All Saints’ Day. There is also a much lesser known holiday called All Souls’ Day on Nov.2. So the All-hallow-tide is a three day festival time in the Church Year to reset our hearts and minds on what really matters.

All Hollowed Eve, Oct. 31, was a day of going to church for a service of prayer and repentance giving thanks to God for the salvation He has given to us.

All Hallowed Day (also known as All Saints’ Day) Nov. 1, was a day to go to church to give thanks to God for the heroes of the faith whom He has held in the Christian Faith even unto death. It was a faith that has carried them through to everlasting life.

Then came All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2. A day to go to church to give thanks to God that the souls of all the faithful departed were being kept safe in heaven until the Last Day comes.

I know you’ve heard all that stuff about Halloween being a pagan holiday. That’s just not true. These holidays (holy-days) of the Christian Church have been around for a very long time. Martin Luther picked All Hallowed Eve because his 95 theses would have been seen by the most number of people. It is sad that this Christian festival has all but been lost by the Church. It is sad that the Church has come to a place where some are now preaching the wrong things about it, even claiming it is Satan’s day rather than a day to celebrate the risen Redeemer and the faith He gives to carry us safely home.

The three-day Church Festival of All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day is a time to remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return [Genesis 3:19]. It is also a time to remember the Messiah has come and His name is Jesus [Matthew 1:21].

Salvation has come to us. Eternal life is given to all who believe and are Baptized [Mark 16:16]. This is the promise to which we cling as we await Jesus’ return, when He will carry us home. That is what these holy days are all about. It is about the resurrection.

I know there are a few churches doing something on Halloween. We at St. John’s will once again have our Hallelujah  Harvest Festival for the 15th year, on Oct. 31 from 5:30-8 p.m. So have fun, grab a little piece of history and celebrate. Celebrate not the evil but the wonder of our God who has called us and carries us though every struggle and trouble this life may bring.

If you want to be really bold dress up as your favorite Bible character. Remember the faith of that person and seek God’s guidance on how you can apply that to your life as you help the lives of those around you.