For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever bless’d.
Alleluia, alleluia!
– For All the Saints, by William Walsham How
This past weekend, we celebrated All Saints’ Day in each of our worship services. All Saints’ Day began in the 700s when Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as a day for remembering our departed loved ones who had faith in Christ.
All Saints’ Day is a time to celebrate our history. From the early days of Christianity, there is a sense that the Church consists of not only all living believers, but also all who have gone before us. For example, in Hebrews 12 the author encourages Christians to remember that a “great cloud of witnesses” surrounds us … encouraging us, cheering us on.
We are never closer to our departed loved ones than when we gather around the altar and receive Communion. As we sing our hymns and say our prayers, we join with our saints who worship the risen Christ in heaven. Our liturgy describes this:
“Therefore we praise you,
joining our voices with angels and archangels and
all the company of heaven.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.”
Who is the company of heaven? It is those who now reign with Christ! We join with them in singing the anthem of heaven! May we all take time to remember our saints this week, and give thanks for the assurance that we will see them again one day in heaven due to our faith in Jesus Christ.
Pastor Nathan
