When people think about the month of November they usually think about Thanksgiving. As Christians the Biggest festival holiday is All Saints Day. All Saints’ Day is a time in the Church Year when we remember the faithful Christians who have died and fell asleep in Jesus. In other words, our loved ones, friends and members of the congregation who are with Christ.

Remembering our loved ones who have died is often a sad experience, and that’s okay. Remember, God has created us to be in community, to love one another, and to have emotions and feelings. Even Jesus cried when His friend Lazarus died (John 11:35).

So how should we feel around All Saint's Day? SAD? ANGRY? Frustrated? That is often how we feel when someone died. The readings for the festival are often “happy”! Psalm 149 begins and ends with the words, “Praise the LORD!” But a closer look at verse 1 reveals the reason for the praise and celebration; it says, “Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!” (Psalm 149:1).

The cause of celebration is the “new song.” This new song is a response to the work of Jesus and the eternal life He won for you and all the people of God through His death on the cross and His resurrection that first Easter. It’s a heavenly song that unites all Christians in heaven and on earth (Isaiah 42:10, Rev. 5:9; 14:2–3). Who can sing this new song? As verse 4 of our psalm says, “For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation” (Psalm 149:4).

Those who sing this new song are all who have faith in Jesus and have received His forgiveness. So where is this forgiveness present for us? Here at church, in your Baptism, as you hear the pastor announce the absolution, in the hearing of God’s Word and here at the Communion rail.

Have you ever noticed how some Communion rails are shaped like half circle? That’s because many years ago, a church would have a cemetery behind the altar wall, where our loved ones were buried. When the faithful Christians came to receive the Lord’s Supper, the circle was complete, heaven and earth united again, and the voices of Christians still living on this side of heaven were joined with the chorus of angels, archangels and the whole company of heaven in singing a new song of praise to Jesus.

It’s okay to be sad when we remember our loved ones who have died in Jesus, but rejoice that you still sing praises to Jesus with them every time we gather around His altar.

Holy and Gracious God, we thank You for all the saints who now rest in Christ Jesus. Comfort us when we are sad and fill us with hope in the resurrection. Enable us to sing Your new song while we joyously wait to join all Your saints in glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Adapted from 2025–26 CHAPEL TALKS FOR LUTHERAN SCHOOLS page 22).