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
