Even In Death, Life Is Celebrated
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series III, Cycle C
Our son, Andrew, was born on November 1, All Saints' Day. It was a glorious day, not only because we knew our baby would be born, but the sunrise was spectacular. Oranges, dark blues, pinks, and purples turned into a bright blue autumn day. The air was crisp although there was just a dusting of snow on the ground from the week before.
When I told my dear friends in Mexico that our baby was a healthy little boy, they rejoiced. They also rejoiced to know he was born on All Saint's Day. I was curious.
My Mexican host mother (I was an exchange student in her home), explained that in Mexico, All Saints' Day is very important, as is the next day, All Souls' Day. All Saints' Day is marked with a reunion at the cemetery, where food and drink are brought -- not for the dead, but for family members. They have a picnic and talk about the people -- the "saints" -- who have died. They celebrate their lives, they remember little things; they laugh, they cry, they honor their memory. The cemetery plots are carefully cleaned out for the occasion.
Afterward, this particular family goes home to celebrate in a Halloween-type of manner. Sometimes they may have a party with people wearing "death" costumes. In Mexico, death goes by names like "skinny," "bony lady," "baldy lady," and even "fancy lady." She is made fun of with great enthusiasm. Candy shops carry sugar skeletons, coffins, skulls, and the like for weeks. Sweet, sugary bones come in every color. November 2, the Day of the Dead (or All Souls' Day) is also celebrated in an exuberant fashion. Macabre toys, centerpieces, and costumes help with the celebration. It is very common to see silk or paper flowers, wreaths, candles, and fresh flowers decorating homes.
Death is not morbid for them. Death is accepted. But more importantly, life is celebrated -- even after death. So when Andrew's birth was announced, it meant something extra to my Mexican family: new life on the day when all lives are celebrated.
When I told my dear friends in Mexico that our baby was a healthy little boy, they rejoiced. They also rejoiced to know he was born on All Saint's Day. I was curious.
My Mexican host mother (I was an exchange student in her home), explained that in Mexico, All Saints' Day is very important, as is the next day, All Souls' Day. All Saints' Day is marked with a reunion at the cemetery, where food and drink are brought -- not for the dead, but for family members. They have a picnic and talk about the people -- the "saints" -- who have died. They celebrate their lives, they remember little things; they laugh, they cry, they honor their memory. The cemetery plots are carefully cleaned out for the occasion.
Afterward, this particular family goes home to celebrate in a Halloween-type of manner. Sometimes they may have a party with people wearing "death" costumes. In Mexico, death goes by names like "skinny," "bony lady," "baldy lady," and even "fancy lady." She is made fun of with great enthusiasm. Candy shops carry sugar skeletons, coffins, skulls, and the like for weeks. Sweet, sugary bones come in every color. November 2, the Day of the Dead (or All Souls' Day) is also celebrated in an exuberant fashion. Macabre toys, centerpieces, and costumes help with the celebration. It is very common to see silk or paper flowers, wreaths, candles, and fresh flowers decorating homes.
Death is not morbid for them. Death is accepted. But more importantly, life is celebrated -- even after death. So when Andrew's birth was announced, it meant something extra to my Mexican family: new life on the day when all lives are celebrated.
