Reformation Day Party

History

One of the most significant holidays of the Church year that are unique to Lutherans, Reformation Day has long been held in high esteem and celebrated with great festivities. Although there are a myriad of historic traditions that you can find for how the Church and her people have commemorated the day in the past, many of these customs have evolved into a robust celebration of Lutheran identity. That is to say that Reformation Day has become focused on the characteristics of what makes Lutherans Lutheran, and thus the festival has become an opportunity to highlight these things with great excitement and joy.

If you’re considering how you and your household can celebrate this day, check out our list below for some ideas and activities or utilize them as inspiration for your own concoctions! Even better, combine a few of these to host a Reformation Day party for not just those in your household but your friends and fellow churchgoers, as well! Whether you decide to highlight the more theological aspects of the Reformation Day or to be proud of your Lutheran cultural heritage, be sure to thank our Lord for giving us a day and event to celebrate and for all those who have gone before us in the faith and paved the path for the Church today!

Traditions

Luther Rose Cookies

Everyone loves sweets, and whether you consider yourself a cookie decorator or not, you might try your hand at creating these Luther rose cookies. The rose, which Luther designed himself, has various features various theological symbols, which you can read more about here. The base of the cookie can be something as easy as our simple sugar cookie recipe, which you can then top with colored frostings: gold/yellow, blue, white, red, and black, which are all of the colors that Luther suggests for his design.

Reformation Beverage of Choice

What’s a Lutheran party without some beer? A good, old, and traditional German beverage, we would be remiss not to encourage you to consider enjoying this beverage on Reformation Day and to share one with a friend. Luther himself had plenty to say about beer in his correspondences with his bride, Katie Luther, as well as his other close friends and colleagues. He is even said to have quipped, “Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer!”

Reformation Reading

Perhaps one of the best ways of all to celebrate the heritage of the Reformation is to study what has been handed down to us in the form of books, sermons, articles, etc.! After the cookies are made, you’ve grabbed a beer, and have been joined by a few friends or family members, sit down for a reading of a book or sermon from the Reformation period. If you need help selecting one, you can consider some of our suggestions:

95 Theses Have you read the 95 Theses for yourself? If not, consider taking a look through all 95 (relatively short) theses online here, or print out the list and pass around for discussion with those around you. You might ask: What stood out to you? Do you have a favorite thesis? Was there anything in particular that surprised you?

Book of Concord Reformation Day, as with all other days, is a fitting time to pull out the Book of Concord for a reading. Revisit one of your favorite parts of the Small Catechism as a family or take an exerpt out of the Large Catechism and discuss it all together.

Reformation Biography Another fitting reading selection might come from the biography of a character from the Reformation: there are certainly fantastic depictions of Martin Luther, Katie Luther, Martin Chemnitz, or others’ stories published by those within and around our synod!

Reformation Movie

The Luther movie is also a great way to bring the Reformation and its real-life events to life through cinema. This ’03 production takes the viewer all the way through Luther’s journey—from his dramatic conversion to his pinning of the 95 Theses through the Diet of Worms and finally his excommunication. Enjoy your cookies and beer while viewing this classic. You can even follow it up with a Reformation hymn sing…

Reformation Hymn Sing

Whether you’ve chosen to join others in the Reformation Day celebration or decided to observe the Reformation on your own, we think there is no better way to end your festivities than with a hymn sing. Of all of the treasures that came out the Reformation, our Lutheran chorales might just be some of the richest. Download our hymn study guide if you want to focus in on one of the great hymns, especially those by Nicolai, Heermann, Gerhardt, or of the first Lutheran cantor, Johann Walter, all Lutheran musical giants. Other classic suggestions for your singing are, of course, Luther’s A Mighty Fortress (LSB 656/657), Dear Christians One and All Rejoice (LSB 556), In the Very Midst of Life (LSB 755), May God Bestow on Us His Grace (LSB 823), or one of the other 27 hymns Martin Luther either wrote or translated that are found in our Lutheran Service Book.