I know the origins of Christmas. For a period in my life, my parents didn't celebrate Christmas. When I came of age, I decided that I would celebrate it, and my parents followed suit. (I believe their decision to follow my lead was due to my father's parents passing away...Christmas was a very special family time on my father's side of the family, and I believe they regretted having distanced themselves from family during his parents' later years.)
Christmas today is about the birth of Jesus Christ - despite the commercialism, despite Santa Clause and trees that have nothing to do with him - the very name "Christ mass" makes it a holiday celebrating Jesus' birth. In a family where Jesus is celebrated, it is a very special time of remembrance and understanding of how God robed himself in flesh for a grand plan to commune with and save humanity from our sin.
We have made a decision in our family not to celebrate Halloween, even innocently. Halloween is still currently about "spooks" and "spirits" and "death," even if it's made fun of or characterized.
Even if you try to take the "bad" elements out of Halloween, what are you left with? Dressing up in silly costumes and eating candy. What is worth celebrating in that? (Yes, I eat candy and let my kids eat candy.) There is no "redeeming" element in it except frivolity. And while there's nothing wrong with dressing up and eating candy, it just doesn't seem like something worth celebrating, especially when the negative aspects of the holiday are still rampantly represented.
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,
And yes, this is a good candidate for making fun of. I went to one when I was still a Christian, and even then I was very "iffy" about it, and especially certain scenes. E.g., the abortion scene. We see the dead fetus about to be whisked away to hell by a demon, just after the deed was done. But an angel steps into the room just in time to shake her head at the demon and snatch the fetus away and take it to heaven. And the poor demon was so sad.
Anyway. Yeah. I wouldn't recommend Christianizing Halloween.
Quote:
Or is Halloween too evil and powerful that you can't reclaim the day?
No, it's not that. It's that, IMO, it should just be left alone, and those who like to celebrate it should celebrate it. Those who want to be scared of it, well, fine: be scared of it, and don't celebrate it. Simple.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Some of us (Red Green types?) could come up with deep philosophical reasoning to not celebrate Halloween, when actually we just don't like parties nor the effort of dressing up.
It's a good night to turn off the lights and save some electricity. Furthermore, it's kinda exciting to make sure you don't get caught doing that or avoiding the kids for that reason. Among the best night's sleep of the year.
I'll bet most middle age men who celebrate Halloween are just willing victims of peer-pressure: society, women, and children.
Some of us (Red Green types?) could come up with deep philosophical reasoning to not celebrate Halloween, when actually we just don't like parties nor the effort of dressing up.
It's a good night to turn off the lights and save some electricity. Furthermore, it's kinda exciting to make sure you don't get caught doing that or avoiding the kids for that reason. Among the best night's sleep of the year.
I'll bet most middle age men who celebrate Halloween are just willing victims of peer-pressure: society, women, and children.
Christians that celebrate Christ-mas, are celebrating the birth of Jesus. It may be the wrong day but the Holiday is about Christ.
Halloween is not. Christmas is not "Christianized", rather the reverse, it was secularized
Halloween can't be "reclaimed" since it was never a Christian Holiday
You're right. Halloween cannot be "reclaimed". However, some of us believe that it can be "redefined" for Christ. It will do us no good to stick our heads in the sand and do nothing on Halloween in my opinion. To take it on and use it as a day to discuss and teach topics that are in the popular media (spiritual warfare, origin of evil, and death) we can address what the culture is discussing and fixating upon from a biblical perspective.
Since it is the eve before All Saints, it couldn't hurt to discuss Christian history. Something most churches totally ignore.
In my mind it doesn't matter if it was originally a "Christian holiday" or not. Every day should be used in some manner to honor Christ. Halloween included.
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