What's the Big Deal About Halloween?

[Aquila]

Here's a little article I wrote a few years ago. Please share your thoughts.

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 conquered 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 does 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 origin 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 possibilities. 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 envision a Wild West theme, a Medieval Europe theme, Super Hero 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 that we can move from being on the defensive and get ourselves on the OFFENSIVE. Yes, we can TAKE DOMINION over Halloween! Don't tolerate 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 the Hell out of Halloween.

God bless.

P.S.
Family or Church centered activities are desperately needed in many communities. Many parents are concerned about their 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

[DaveC519]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I have a friend who was adopted into a Satanist home. She later in her life found Christ. Every year Halloween is one of the darkest times for her as she remembers just how ugly, and sick things were for her growing up at this time of year. As Christians, we should know better than to have any involvement with one of the darkest, sickest days of the year being celebrated. I agree, it should be called Day of Death, and people should wake up and realize that Halloween is not just about dressing up like some comic figure, or superhero and getting candy.

I once knew someone who was born into a satanic cult, but also later saved. She said if Christians knew what Halloween was really about, they'd spend the night in prayer and fasting.

[DaveC519]

Here is a link to an interesting article from a Catholic perspective, something about trying to reclaim the All Hallowed Eve's theme:
http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/...alloween/2133/

We didn't observe Halloween with our children. We always felt the underlying themes of darkness couldn't be masked (pun intended) by a superman- or even a bible character- costume.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by DaveC519

Here is a link to an interesting article from a Catholic perspective, something about trying to reclaim the All Hallowed Eve's theme:
http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/...alloween/2133/

We didn't observe Halloween with our children. We always felt the underlying themes of darkness couldn't be masked (pun intended) by a superman- or even a bible character- costume.

This is interesting from the article as Dia de los Muertos is celebrated on All Saints Day. This shows that these are celebrated together and there isn't much of a difference.

"Halloween (or “All Hallows Eve”) is the festive precursor to the celebration of the Church’s public commemoration of All Saints Day."

[n david]

Everyone better stay inside with the lights off tonight.

It's Halloween, or Los Dias de los Muertos if you're from Mexico and celebrate the dead.

For the majority of ordinary Americans, we'll be taking a walk around the neighborhood, mingling with friends and neighbors while all our kids run around in costumes getting candy.



I admit, Halloween is really evil. I mean, it's really bad. You have little kids dressed up in their favorite superhero costume going from door to door and people are opening the door and giving them CANDY.



Even worse are the millions of Americans in Kansas, Ohio, Wisconsin and other states celebrating Los Dias de los Muertos by carrying fake corpses and caskets down their city streets, dancing and singing Mexican songs.

[Aquila]

Halloween is essentially our culture's festival of the dead. It's a time to address the subjects of death, Satan, Hell, the spirit world, the supernatural, and the occult. My kids have are eight and have started asking a lot of questions this year. Questions about ghosts, the Devil, death, and Hell. In away... rather one participates in any kind of festivity or not... we can redeem the time.

[Sean]

A harvest party is a good alternative for saints to bring their kids to.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by n david

Everyone better stay inside with the lights off tonight.

It's Halloween, or Los Dias de los Muertos if you're from Mexico and celebrate the dead.

For the majority of ordinary Americans, we'll be taking a walk around the neighborhood, mingling with friends and neighbors while all our kids run around in costumes getting candy.



I admit, Halloween is really evil. I mean, it's really bad. You have little kids dressed up in their favorite superhero costume going from door to door and people are opening the door and giving them CANDY.



Even worse are the millions of Americans in Kansas, Ohio, Wisconsin and other states celebrating Los Dias de los Muertos by carrying fake corpses and caskets down their city streets, dancing and singing Mexican songs.

Are you acting like a jerk or is it just my imagination?

[Jermyn Davidson]

Curse the darkness!

[Jermyn Davidson]

The Church should celebrate the Day of the Dead by having mass baptisms for the dead folks.