Last week an acquaintance said to me, “I wasn’t able to find any of Luther’s Reformation Day sermons.” After a too long silence, I responded, “Ohhh, yeah.” “Took awhile to catch on,” he said. My slowness to catch on did raise a question in my mind, “When did Lutherans begin celebrating Reformation Day? The internet had numerous sites about Reformation Day, but nothing specifically addressing my question.
However, Luther Reed’s The Lutheran Liturgy did provide an answer. The Festival of the Reformation dates back to the late 1520’s in various districts in Germany. Similar services of thanksgiving were instituted in 1563 and 1568. Some places the service was held on the eve of Luther’s birthday, on Nov. 10. Other areas held it on the Sunday following June 25, the date of the Augsburg Confession.
The celebrations were dropped during the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). In 1667 Elector John of Saxony reestablished the festival on October 31.
There was a time in the not-too-distant-past when congregations would band together for a joint rally-celebration. Now, each congregation has their own celebration during the services on the Sunday before October 31.
However we celebrate it the prayer of the Day for faithfulness and steadfastness is still the center of our celebration.
Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Comments