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Praying about the flow of time: All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day

Lynne Baab • Tuesday October 29 2024

I was looking forward to researching this post. I don’t know a lot about the history of All Hallows Eve (which has morphed into Halloween) and All Saints Day (November 1). After reading a very long Wikipedia entry and a few other websites, I am more confused than ever. Did these two holidays originate with the Romans? Celts? Germans? Pagans? What a mishmash of traditions formed our current practice of Halloween. I did learn that Halloween is a major revenue source for many businesses—not a topic I would usually write about but perhaps something to pray about!

I do know that Christians have...

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Praying about the flow of time: Daily rhythms of prayer

Lynne Baab • Tuesday October 22 2024

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy, Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares can destroy, Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray, Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

That hymn has been playing on repeat in my mind recently. It is sung to the traditional Irish tune of “Be Thou My Vision.” It has four verses, each focused on a different time of day. You can listen to it, with beautiful views of Westminster Abbey, here.

The author, Jan Struther, wrote the words in 1931, a few years before she began writing a column for The...

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Praying about the flow of time: The Feast of Tabernacles calls us to stay fluid and flexible

Lynne Baab • Tuesday October 15 2024

Twenty years ago, I heard a sermon that stayed in my memory. The preacher set up a contrast between tents and buildings. He said it was no accident that God’s people lived in tents for so long while wandering in the desert. He said God had a purpose in refusing David’s request to build a temple (2 Samuel 7). God wanted the Ark of the Covenant, God’s presence with the people, to stay in a tent so it could easily travel with the people.

The minister talked about the way tents keep us flexible and fluid. God can guide us more easily...

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Praying about the flow of time: A month of celebrating renewal and moral responsibility

Lynne Baab • Wednesday October 9 2024

Think back on the first two weeks of January, perhaps this year or a past year. After the celebrations on New Year’s Eve and whatever pattern you have for New Year’s Day, what happens next for you? Do you settle easily back into work after the holidays? Do you kick yourself around for eating too much in those food-filled days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s? Do you start a diet or recommit to an exercise plan?

I wonder how many cultures have a period of intentional reflection right after celebrating the New Year. The Jewish High Holidays, a cluster of holy days...

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