This time of year there seems to always be confusion about what holiday/holidays we are supposed to be celebrating. Many Lutherans boycott Halloween (because they think it is a pagan holiday) and call it reformation day instead. To clear the air, here is what is the holidays this time of year are:
All Saints Day (Also known as all hallows day) is observed on November 1 and has the purpose of celebrating, remembering, and honoring all of the saints (hallowed, or holy people) in the Church throughout history who have died. Liturgically, it begins the evening of October 31, with Vespers.
Halloween is shortened from All Hallow's Eve (or All Saints Day Eve). Hallow is a word not used often, but it is still used sometimes. We talk about hallowed halls of an old institution, or in the Lord's Prayer, when we pray "Hallowed by Thy Name". Therefore, Halloween just means the day before the day we celebrate all of the holy people.
Reformation Day is also celebrated on October 31 and is the commemoration of when Martin Luther nailed the 95 thesis to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517 (almost 497 years ago), starting the reformation.
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