Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them." - Rev. 14:12,13

Each year on November 1, the Christian church celebrates All Saints Day. The day is preceded by All Hallow's Eve or Halloween as we now know it. It was on All Hallow's Eve that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses on the church door at Wittenberg. He did this because he knew that many parishioners would be at the church that evening.

From the early days of Christendom, the church had special days to honor the martyrs. As the number of martyrs who were venerated increased, there were not enough days for them all and eventually one day was chosen to honor them all. It was Gregory IV who selected November 1 as the date in 837. Gradually, the day came to honor all the saints, both living and dead; those who are named and those who are unnamed.

Who are the saints? In the Hebrew scriptures, the term generally refers to persons faithful to the nation of Israel. In the Christian canon, the word saints refers to those who are followers of Christ. The word itself means one who is Holy or Set Apart. For Christians, that includes all who take the name of Christ.

The protestant churches use this day to remember all those who have died in the faith, and have found their rest in Christ Jesus. On All Saints Day, most churches will sing a hymn by William How entitled "For All the Saints." In 1906, the English Composer Ralph Vaughuan Williams,composed a tune for that hymn. Interestingly enough, the hymn tune is entitled Sine Nomine, which is Latin for Without a Name. I don't know who chose this name for the hymn tune, but it is a brilliant choice since the hymn honors all the unnamed saints.

Prayer: God of rest, we know that those saints who have preceded us in death, are held secure in your bosom. We remember them for their faithfulness and for the example they left for us. We also thank you for the compassion you show to your saints who are still living today. Guide us down the narrow and treacherous path that lies before us. We continue this journey in the hope of the resurrection and in the secure knowledge that we will also enter that haven of rest. God, bless your saints. Amen.