And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. -Ephesians 3:17-19

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Today, November 1, is All Saints Day. It is sometimes better known as All Hallows Day. The origin of All Saints began in the early church. It was a time when the early Christian community would gather together to celebrate their deceased leaders, particularly martyrs. Since Christ’s Resurrection, death was no longer viewed as the end of one’s life. Christians understand death as the beginning, one’s “birthday,” in Christ’s eternal realm.

Although many of our churches today do not observe All Saints with the fervor we celebrate Easter and Christmas; the tradition deserves our attention. Originally this celebration was held around Easter time, close to the resurrection. The Eastern Orthodox commemorated it close to Pentecost. It was not until 835 A.D. that Christians in the west began to commemorate All Saints Day on November 1. We continue with this tradition today.

What is a Saint? This is an excellent question for Christians, particularly as we celebrate All Saints. One definition states simply that a saint is a holy person. It can also be defined as someone who is exceptionally charitable, patient, etc. In certain Christian churches (i.e. Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal) a saint is a person officially recognized by the church for having attained heaven after an exceptionally holy life. Although some churches have official lists of saints, many Christian traditions have broader boundaries for who can be considered a saint.

Saints can be Christian people in every time and place. They are people who have modeled Christian values and morals to others. During their lives they have continued the work of Jesus Christ through loving the least and the last. They are people that emit a ray of light to those around them as the transforming grace of God works in and through them. Saints can be anyone from a nationally known evangelist to someone’s grandmother. A saint does not have to be someone from the past; they can be living today.

Who are the saints in your life? Who has shown you God and godly living? Who are the people that have crossed your path that have led you into a closer relationship with God? Who are the people that model the faith you want to have?

This week in chapel we will observe All Saints Day. I invite you to celebrate those special people in your life, those that are living and those that have already had their birthday in Christ’s eternal realm.