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| Kananaskis. Image by Matty's Flicks |
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A GREETING
O God, we heard with our own ears—
our ancestors told us all the things you did
in their days, in days of old.
(Psalm 44:1)
A READING
Forget the events of the past,
ignore the things of long ago!
Look, I am doing something new!
Now it springs forth—can’t you see it?
I’m making a road in the desert
and setting rivers to flow in the wasteland.
(Isaiah 43:18-19)
MUSIC
A MEDITATIVE VERSE
This month shall mark for you the beginning of months;
it shall be the first month of the year for you.
(Exodus 12:2)
A PRAYER
Tonight I honor my ancestors.
Spirits of my fathers and mothers, I call to you,
and welcome you to join me for this night.
You watch over me always,
protecting and guiding me,
and tonight I thank you.
Your blood runs in my veins,
your spirit is in my heart,
your memories are in my soul.
- Samhain Ancestor Prayer, found on learnreligions.com
VERSE OF THE DAY
Our ancestors put their trust in you;
they trusted and you rescued them; they cried to you and were saved;
they trusted you and were never disappointed.
(Psalm 22:4a;5b)
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| "Late Fall, Manitoba," by Lionel LeMoine Fitzgerald (1917), found on thegroupofseven.ca |
Samhain (pronounced "Sow-en") is the festival associated with the Celtic New Year, which corresponds in the Christian calendar with the November 1st celebrations of All Saints and All Souls. The festival marks the half way point between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. It is also the beginning of the darkest time of the year. Just as we mark the first Sunday of Advent as the start of the new church year, the Celtic festival of Samhain marks the end and the new beginning of the earth’s yearly seasonal cycle.
Today’s reading from Isaiah speaks to the ‘new thing’ that God manifests whenever we make a commitment to transforming our lives. Such a time of new life and growth requires trying to release painful past life experiences. It also includes honouring those who have come before us who have helped guide the way. At Samhain we enter into a ‘thin space,’ the closest we come in the year (according to Celtic tradition) to the world of those who go before us. We enter the journey of Advent by holding our ancestors, biblically, spiritually, and in our own lives, and asking them to help guide us as we go. In some Celtic practices, a place at the table is set out for those who have recently been lost.
The companionship of darkness and light and day and night, allows for the release of what has held us back and the birth of new life to live side by side. Sometimes it can be difficult to let go of disappointments and setbacks. We may feel a bitterness, resentment, anger or even numb acceptance. It takes commitment and courage in these moments to dig into the practice of hope.
What experience of this past year can you pray to release, as you wait for the one who brings new life? Who are the dear ones long gone or recently lost whose wisdom you remember?
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| Mono Lake, California. Image by Jeff Sullivan. |
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Scripture passages are taken from The Inclusive Bible.
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LC† Vigil in Hope is a devotional series of Lutherans Connect, supported by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College. To receive the devotions by email, write to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. The devotional pages are written and curated by Deacon Sherry Coman, with support and input from Pastor Steve Hoffard, Catherine Evenden and Henriette Thompson. Join us on Facebook. Lutherans Connect invites you to make a donation to the Ministry by going to this link on the website of the ELCIC Eastern Synod and selecting "Lutherans Connect Devotionals" under "Fund". Devotions are always freely offered, however your donations help support the ongoing work.
Thank you and peace be with you!
