Today is the first day in the Celtic year and its also All Saints Day. A day to remember the saints and believers in Christ who are passed on and are now with Christ. Bible verses for the day are from Northumbria: Hebrews. 12:1-2, 22-23, Revelation 7: 9-10, 19:5.
On All Saints Day, “Soul cakes” were made and “Souling” ballads like this one were sung by maids in many English towns in the evening:
“Soul, soul, for a soul cake!
I pray good misses a soul cake,
An apple or pear, a plum or a cherry,
Any good thing to make us merry,
One for Peter, two for Paul,
Three for Him who made us all”
Feast Day Cookbook, Burton and Ripperger, 1951
Soul cakes were often shaped like men and women with currants or raisins for their eyes. Makes me wonder if gingerbread men are related to these. In fact, I will probably bake some gingerbread men and women for our kids and we will think about the departed saints before we eat them. Especially the people we know who have impacted our lives before going on to meet God.
More Resources:
One Year Bible Blog, Daily prayer for the world,
How to make Soul Cakes, American recipes for soul cakes, recipe for Gingerbread Men,
Technorati Tags: all saints day, christian, worship
I love this! Let me tell you what you just did for me. I write posts roughly the length of, “War and Peace,” Not sure why, but I just can’t quite bring myself to break them up and use it for another day — feels like ripping apart a child or something. I know, I know. I need to seek help. 🙂 Actually, you just gave it to me because i really enjoy your short stuff and see the value of writing shorter stuff and updating more often.
Thanks.
i remember:
jay
nanaw
granddad
grannie
granddad
Hop
German lady in santa fe
all saints in my eyes and God’s!
amen.
thanks andrew, good info. this is something we do at our church and i’m leading our reflection on all saints day this sunday, i have a post up on our creative service ideas and am also on a scrounge for a prayer to close with 🙂