Paganism in Christianity

[Sam]

I posted that old article but I do not agree with some of the conclusions in it.

Our children were raised in a Oneness Pentecostal Church. They heard Bible stories at home and prayed with their parents at bed time.

On Halloween they put on costumes and went out in the neighborhood for trick or treat. They went out accompanied by one parent while the other parent stayed home and gave out candy. We had not problem if one was dressed like a witch or one was dressed like a ghost. Witches and demons have no authority over us. We're protected by the blood of Jesus and by His name. We have authority over the works of darkness. We also carved pumpkins but never became demonized.

At Christmas time they heard about Santa Claus when they were small and later realized that there really is a Santa Clause but he is not a literal little fat man in a red suit. Instead he is "the spirit of Christmas" a fun figure we talk about and see in the attitude of love and benevolence in people at that time of the year. When they realized Santa wasn't a real person they didn't doubt whether Jesus was real or not. They joined in talking about Santa with younger relatives and perpetuated a fun fantasy.

At Easter we stayed home. It was a time to spend with family. We never had money to buy new clothes and join in the fashion parade at the local Apostolic Church. People showed up who never darkened the door of the church for the rest of the year. We didn't know them and they didn't know us. A day or so before Easter we dyed eggs together. At least one egg would come out of the dye with the message "He is risen" on it. Easter morning we shared in a family Easter basket filled with way too much candy to be healthy. We hunted for eggs in the house because it was usually too wet or too cold to do it outside. Some years we were even able to all go out to eat which was a rare treat at that time with 5 children and only one parent working and one staying home with the children.

To us, Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc. were not pagan but part of our American and family culture. Sure lots of stuff that was part of the holiday celebration came from paganism but you can hardly separate that out of our culture. The days of our week are named after the sun god, the moon god, Wodon, Saturn, etc. Some of our months are named after gods and pagan rulers. But we still use calendars with Sunday through Saturday and with January through December.

I think some of us just need to lighten up and not be looking for a devil under every rock and behind each tree. This is the day that the Lord hath made. And every day is the day that the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in each day.