Tomorrow is the Vigil of St James. Today we pray and mediate, in preparation of a Major saints day.

The Dictionary has two definitions for the word Vigil:-

1. A period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray.
2. (In the Christian Church) - The eve of a festival or holy day as an occasion of religious observance.

The intention is prayerful preparation for the coming important Religious Holiday. Vigils are only kept for major religious holidays and apostles, they are I believe, a tradition leftover from the Roman-Catholic belief that different saints, especially the apostles can intercede for us with God. Anglican's while honouring the memory of the Saints, believe only Christ's intercession matters and having claimed his Salvation, through faith, we can go direct to the Father in the name of the Son, with confession, fear, and trembling remembering whom we are approaching.

That being stated, it is a good thing, to reassess yourself spiritually on a regular basis and see where you stand in your walk with God. The vigils in preparation for a Saint's Day/Religious Holiday are a good time to do this, whether spending a little extra time with the Father at the end of the day, or focusing on a full Vigil for the day or even just saying the special Vigil prayers, in fact it should be a joy to us who love God. Today we follow the Vigil prayers, collects and readings throughout the day. Tomorrow we remember St James of Jerusalem, Brother of the Lord.