Devotions-Oct-28-2025

Weekly Devotion –Tuesday, October 28th, 2025

Bible Text
“See to it that no-one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)

Reflect
Some 2,000 years ago the ancient Celts celebrated the festival of Samhain marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter on October 31st. The Celts believed this was a time when the veil between the living and the dead thinned, and spirits could roam the earth. Exactly how that idea was begun is unknown but the Celts would dress in disguises and carve vegetables into faces to ward off any evil spirits.

During the Middle Ages the Catholic church morphed Samhain into All Saints Eve while November 1 became All Saints Day. In some areas people would go from door to door asking for bread in exchange for their praying for departed saints or family members - a precursor to Trick or Treat.

Thus, today's traditions of costumes, jack-o’-lanterns, and trick-or-treating have their roots in the traditions of Samhain, various medieval observances, and later American and European customs added to the observance.

So, we now have the tradition of youngsters roaming our neighborhoods seeking treats once a year on Halloween. Happily, the “tricks” now mostly consist of a few silly jokes instead of egg or tomato tossing at houses.

But let us not overlook the tradition of November 1st being All Saints Day when we reflect on the saints among us and those who have gone before. A reminder that we too are called to be Saints for Christ by sharing the good news of salvation.

Pray
Lord as we hand out treats and have the fun of October 31, help us to keep in mind the true joy of remembering on November 1, those saints we’ve encountered during our lifetime. Help us to act in word and deed in such a manner to be worthy of the title Saint. Amen.

Devotions by Larry W