Celebrating All Saints’ Day As A Family

What Is It

The most common term to describe Christians in the New Testament is “saints.” Every Christian is given the status of a “saint” (“holy one”) because they are united with Christ the Holy One. Paul even identifies the Corinthians, fleshly as they were, as “those sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. 1:2). However, Paul also reminds them that they are “called to be saints” (1 Cor. 1:2). We are saints positionally or in status the moment we are saved because we are set apart to God as holy in Christ. However, we must also become saints in character and lifestyle through the sanctifying (think “saint-making”) power of the Holy Spirit.

Throughout church history, some Christians have stood out as exemplifying what it looks like to be not just a saint in status but in character and lifestyle, and their faith has had a major impact on the Church. These saints have been honored across history with a “saint day,” which is simply a date on the calendar that’s appointed to remember and celebrate them. This date is usually the day of their death, especially if they were martyred and their death date is remembered. I don’t observe every saint day, but I find it meaningful to take a few minutes alone or with my family throughout the year to learn about some of the major saints and pray short prayers from the Book of Common Prayer thanking God for their lives and asking for grace to follow them as they followed Christ.

The reality, of course, is that in 2,000 years of church history there are more great saints than can possibly be remembered in 365 days. Plus there are the saints in our own lives (perhaps grandparents or great grandparents) who are not well known but whose testimony of God’s grace needs to live on. That’s what All Saints’ Day (always November 1) is for. It’s just what it sounds like: a day to celebrate all the saints. All Saints’ Day is one of seven days recognized as a major or principal feast by the Church of England (along with Christmas, Epiphany, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost, and Trinity Sunday). It is the final major feast on the church calendar before Advent begins.

Celebrating As A Family

This year on Sunday, November 1, we will celebrate All Saints’ Day as a church (see “Sample Liturgy for All Saints’ Day”). However, it’s also meaningful to celebrate as a family. Here are a few ideas:

1. Explain to your kids what a “saint” is. Ask them to share some qualities of a saint. How should a saint act? What should they do?
2. Ask them who in their life they know that best reflects the character of a saint.
3. If you have observed other saint days with your kids, ask them which one was their favorite (e.g., my son likes Francis of Assisi because like Francis he likes to pray and thank God for the animals).
4. Have your kids dress up in a costume of their favorite saint.
5. Visit the grave sides of family members who were godly believers and tell their stories of faith.
6. Have your kids call or visit godly family members who are still alive and ask them to share how they came to faith and how God has helped them across the years.
7. Light candles in remembrance of specific Christians who are asleep in Christ, explaining that it is a symbol of how their soul is still alive with God because they are united with Christ, the Light and the Life of the world. As you do, pray something like this: “Heavenly Father, we thank you for the legacy of faith that was left by ____, and we rejoice that they are still alive with you through Christ our Lord. We entrust them to your mercy and ask for grace to follow them as they followed Christ, that by any means we may attain to the resurrection of the dead, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
8. Learn a new song like “For All the Saints.”
9. Read Hebrews 11 and ask your kids who they would add to the “Hall of Faith” and why.
10. Pray this Collect from the BCP: “Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical Body of your Son: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.”