The word Halloween or Hallowe’en dates to about 1745 and is of Christian origin. The word “Hallowe’en” is a contraction of “All Hallows’ Eve” (meaning the evening before All Hallows’ or All Saints’ Day). Although the phrase “All Hallows'” is found in Old English, “All Hallows’ Eve” is itself not seen until 1556.
Here are some Halloween customs from around the world:
* In Poland, believers were once taught to pray out loud as they walk through the forests in order that the souls of the dead might find comfort.
* In Spain, Christian priests in tiny villages toll their church bells in order to remind their congregants to remember the dead on All Hallows’ Eve.
* In Ireland, and among immigrants in Canada, a custom includes the Christian practice of abstinence: keeping All Hallows’ Eve as a meat-free day, and serving pancakes or colcannon (mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage) instead.
* In Mexico, children make an altar to invite the return of the spirits of dead children (angelitos).
* In Finland, because so many people visit the cemeteries on All Hallows’ Eve to light votive candles there, they “are known as valomeri, or seas of light”.
* The Christian Church traditionally observed Hallowe’en through a vigil. Worshippers prepared themselves for feasting on the following All Saints’ Day with prayers and fasting. This church service is known as the Vigil of All Hallows or the Vigil of All Saints; an initiative known as Night of Light seeks to further spread the Vigil of All Hallows throughout Christendom. After the service, “suitable festivities and entertainments” often follow, as well as a visit to the graveyard or cemetery, where flowers and candles are often placed in preparation for All Hallows’ Day.
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A word about All Saints Day (November 1):
All Saints’ Day (also known as All Hallows’ Day, Hallowmas, the Feast of All Saints, or Solemnity of All Saints) is a Christian festival celebrated in honor of all the saints, known and unknown. Interesting, that, because according to the Bible, all who follow Jesus are saints:
From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, at Colossae. Grace and peace to you from God our Father! Colossians 1:1-3 New English Translation (NET Bible)
So, Happy All Saints’ Day to you!
A word about All Souls’ Day (November 2):
In some Christian denominations, All Souls’ Day or the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (that is, of the souls of all Christians who have died) follows All Saints’ Day. Observing Christians typically remember deceased relatives on the day.
In Hebrews 11, the author lists at length the faithful who have gone before us: prophets, martyrs, Bible heroes. Chapter 12 opens with this:
Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us. Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor.
Hebrews 12: 1-2a The Living Bible
So hang in there! All of heaven is cheering you on!