November brings to the Church of England two great festivals – All Saints immediately followed by All Souls.

Most saints have a day all to themselves, but All Saints’ Day is an opportunity to celebrate the whole company of heaven who have lived and died as devoted followers of Jesus. Each saint has their own story – and many are quite amazing, humbling, and an example to you and I who live such cosy lives.

The day after All Saints’ Day is called All Souls’ Day when we remember those near and dear to us who have moved beyond this earthly life into eternal life. St Paul told us that we were all called to be saints - and he referred to the members of the young Christian Church as saints. Maybe we remember as saintly those who have died, but I guess few of us would call ourselves saints. Nonetheless, each and every human being makes a special contribution to the life of their family or community and we remember them all with thanksgiving.

Of course, immediately preceding All Saints’ Day comes All Hallows Eve (All Saints’ Eve) which nowadays masquerades as Hallowe’en. I suppose it was understandable for a mediaeval mind to think that at the time of the year when the righteous and blessed were at the front of our minds we might also expect the ghoulies and ghosties and things that go bump in the night to be around too; hence the pumpkin lanterns containing a bright light, designed to scare away the monsters.

Perhaps we do well to remember that there are dark forces still at work in the world today – I don’t know how else we can explain so much that is so very wrong. But the light inside the lantern should be our talisman – reminding us of the Light of Christ which shines without limit or extinction wherever we allow it, and which shone through the lives of the saints, and through the lives of those we love. If you get children at your door asking for a treat or threatening a trick, why not surprise them with a sweet, and also a blessing that the light of Christ may shine in their hearts and lives this and every night.