Halloween: Curse the darkness or light your world?

[Aquila]

I post this nearly every season for consideration, so in keeping with my tradition I thought I'd post it again. Please share your thoughts. God bless...

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Halloween: Curse the darkness or light your world?

I've got mixed feelings about Halloween. I definitely don't really relish the idea of allowing my child to dress up like something evil and pretend to scare treats out of people. The demonic origins of many things associated with Halloween also cause me to say, "Nope. Not my home."

However, I am thankful for it. It provides an excellent opportunity to teach about several things we often avoid. We can address death, the nature and origin of evil, and Christian history.

There just may be something to redeem here if we look into it. So if you're one of the few who do participate in Halloween on some level here are some considerations. First, here's some history on Halloween...

Originally the Celts celebrated their new year on November 1st. The night before, October 31st, was believed to be an evening when ghosts and spirits returned from the netherworld to bring bad omens for the coming year. So the Celts wore masks and lit bonfires to chase these spirits away. This was the festival of Samhain, Lord of the Dead. When the Romans conqured the Celts they brought with them fall traditions we might find familiar such as bobbing for apples etc. In 835, Pope Gregory IV moved the celebration for all the martyrs (later All Saints) from May 13 to November 1. The night before became known as "All Hallow’s Even" or “holy evening.” Eventually the name was shortened to "Halloween". All Saints was a day set aside by then church authorities to remember Christian martyrs.

What's all this mean for us?

Here are some ideas. If your kids are old enough, it's a good time to teach your children about death and the origins of evil according to the Bible. Give a Bible study on the orgin of Satan and warn of what awaits those who refuse to obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It's also an excellent time to remember and teach about those who perished for their faith in Christ. Men like William Tyndale and John Huss immediately come to mind. This would be a wonderful time to teach your kids about the price men paid just to make sure we had the Bible in English. Yes, we can actually turn the tables on Satan and use the day to glorify God's Word. A good idea could be sitting down with your kids and reading a few stories about these men who gave all so we could read the Holy Bible. Maybe review the lives of these martyrs with the youth group as everyone sits around a bonfire. If your church or organization is able, a hayride through history may be an idea. The hayride can carry the riders through various scenes from Christian history. Start with a stop where the ghost of John Wycliffe talks about his life's work, the English Bible. Briefly have him explain the opposition he faced and how his bones were dug up and burned. Visit with William Tyndale as he teaches about his life's work, the persecution he suffered, and his martyr's death. Next stop...John Huss. You are only limited by your imagination. Some may disagree with this idea...but you can make it interesting. Make it a theatrical hayride with the "ghosts" of the martyrs telling their stories at each brief stop, all in the style of Charles Dickens. You can present vivid reenactments or just present the creative story telling of each martyr's surrender to the flames...illustrating their love of God and His Word. This could ignite a fire in the hearts of those attending, not to mention build an appreciation for the Bible and Christian history.

If you're creative, add to the mix fall festivities like bobbing for apples, apple cider, carving pumpkins (actually an interesting Irish tradition), pumpkin pie, or a costume party. Light a bonfire and roast hotdogs. Have LOTS OF CANDY. Let me repeat...GIVE LOTS OF CANDY! Make the unsaved kids in the neighborhood wish they came to your house or your church on Halloween instead of marching all over the neighborhood dressed like spooks and begging for candy in the cold. Do this and you have a celebration grounding your family in the Christian faith, and an excellent opportunity to witness to others.

Our previous church normally had a "Fall Family Night" with a costume theme, festivities, and lots of candy. I think last year we had a Country or Hill Billy theme. There are other possiblities. For example there may be an International theme where people dress in ethnic dress and/or costumes. Or perhaps a History theme where people dress as their favorite men or women in history. One could invision a Wild West theme, a Medieval Europe theme, Christian History theme, Bible Characters theme, and the list could go on and on. Nothing demonic should be allowed. Kids enjoy dressing up. Kids love to pretend they are somebody else and it's actually a normal part of their development. Let the kids have fun and enjoy themselves. At the same time you can spend some enjoyable time with them.

The point is we can move from being on the defensive and get ourselves on the OFFENSIVE. Yes, we can TAKE DOMINION over Halloween! Don't tollerate it. Don't compromise with it. Don't ignore it. Don't fear it. Like good Christian soldiers...TAKE IT. Yes, take back what the Devil has stolen and use it to give God glory! News flash...October 31st doesn't belong to Satan. It belongs to the Lord. EVERY day belongs to the Lord.

The Devil plans on using this day to glorify evil. I say...turn the tables on him. Use it to light your world. You might have a little fun, make some friends from your neighborhood, and...you might win a soul for Jesus.

Take Dominion. You can have an enjoyable "Holy Evening"...you can scare Hell out of Halloween.

God bless.

P.S.
Family or Church centered activities are desperately needed in many communities. Many parents are concerned about children's safety or their kids getting into trouble on Halloween. By being pro-active the Church can offer a safe and wholesome alternative to Halloween as part of our ministry in many neighborhoods and communities.

If you want a revolution...you have to think like a revolutionary. Simply ask yourself this one question,

"What would I do for God if I were NOT afraid?"

Then DO IT.

Sincerely,
CH

[Evang.Benincasa]

My children and church family youth never notice the passing of Kwanzaa, or Ramadan. That is because like Halloween those "hollydays" aren't part of our religion. That is how they were taught, that is how they respond. Lent comes and goes, as well Purim (a holiday which has dress up) Just teach the Bible, and teach young people that other religions have their festivals and traditions.
Some religions like Voodoo, and Santeria have some creepy traditions, and while people practice these traditions Christians don't. End of story.

[Michael The Disciple]

YAH has said not to attempt to worship him the way the heathen worship their Elohim. Worship according to spirit and truth and we will be ok.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

My children and church family youth never notice the passing of Kwanzaa, or Ramadan. That is because like Halloween those "hollydays" aren't part of our religion. That is how they were taught, that is how they respond. Lent comes and goes, as well Purim (a holiday which has dress up) Just teach the Bible, and teach young people that other religions have their festivals and traditions.
Some religions like Voodoo, and Santeria have some creepy traditions, and while people practice these traditions Christians don't. End of story.

When I was UCON attending a CON church my friend was VERY upset with me because I didn’t want to attend the church’s annual Harvest Party.

I was leaning anti holiday at the age of 14, before I became Apostolic at the age of 15. But it wasn’t until I spent some time near the Wasatch Front that my beliefs solidified and I expressed that I would no longer partake of pagan holidays. I think I messed up by still attending family functions.

Anyway... I have been celebrating holidays with family, food, and alcohol for many years now. But I am close to phasing them out.

[Aquila]

Halloween is one of those holidays I could personally do without. For years, I didn't celebrate it, except for attending Fall Family Night and fall bonfire events. I'll be honest, I've only revisited it after having kids. When I had my son I began to feel like I couldn't deny something without replacing it with something better. That's when I began to feel like something could be redeemed from Halloween. After all, why give a day to the enemy and essentially agree that it is his? So I began my research.

Being of Scott-Irish heritage I felt a cultural aspect to it right away. Much of it was part of the traditions of my ancestors and has been far removed from the paganism they practiced (kind of like many of our Christmas traditions). I also began to study how the Medieval church allowed the common folk to retain much of their cultural festivities, but turned their attention Godward with designating November 1st as All Saints Day (a day to remember the confirmed Saints of the Church) and November 2nd as All Souls Day (a day to remember the fellow believers who have died in one's family that year and in years previous). And so the pagan, Samhain (SOW-en) because the night before All Saints Day, dubbed, "Holy Evening" or "Holy Even". Among the Scotts and the Irish this phrase became "Hallow E'en", or what we know as, "Halloween". So, technically the name means, "Holy Evening", meaning the evening before turning the honor the Saints of the church and the redeemed saints in Heaven.

Then I began to reflect upon it as an Apostolic Pentecostal. Sometimes we don't elaborate on the subject of evil, spiritual forces, the dangers of the occult, spiritual warfare, and the subject of Hell. That's when I began to feel like the Halloween time would be an excellent time to turn to these subjects to discuss them in greater depth and with greater focus. A time to renew our commitment to the battle against evil. A time to remind ourselves that we are indeed at war with dark spiritual forces in our world. So, in our family devotions I began turning the topics of October towards understanding these things.

On the entertainment side, I don't mind my kids dressing up... as long as it isn't demonic or based on horror. They've dressed as ninja, a doll, a video game character (from Singing Monsters), a rock star, a superhero, Ghost Busters, and the like. I don't do the Beggar's Night thing (my son's mother does it). I tend to look for churches that host clean family fun. The local Vineyard is a favorite. They have games, events, arts and crafts, a costume contest, etc., with tons and tons of candy. It's indoors, clean, and my kids love it. They like it more than walking through the cold, going door to door, dealing with spooky houses and cooky people dressed as ghouls, and asking strangers for candy.

In past years, we've even taken a few of their friends with us and the response was extremely positive. In fact, the kids would rather go to the Vineyard church Family Festival with us over going Trick-or-Treating! There is also a spiritual side. While we don't believe like the Vineyard, they pause for prayer, honor Christ, and bring the kid's attention to Jesus. Some of those kids don't go to church. And they've asked about Vineyard church and Sunday school quite a bit. So, I know that our desire for a Christian alternative, along with this church's approach, has left an impact.

So far, I feel we've achieved a healthy balance of fun, festivities, cultural experience, and a Christian focus.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

... while people practice these traditions Christians don't. End of story.