Halloween and Christians

Let’s begin by establishing that there are NO holidays that belong to the Devil. Each day in the calendar year belongs to God and is his gift to mankind.

That said, the enemy continues to work through men in every way possible to dismiss God from culture. In very recent years we have seen a real attack on Christmas. Our schools now refer to winter break rather than Christmas break. Culture insists we must be inclusive in our greetings and Merry Christmas is not welcome as it is exclusive. Better to say Happy Holidays.

Halloween has been around in American culture for well over 100 years. Halloween has its roots in the ancient, pre-Christian Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated on the night of October 31. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, believed that the dead returned to earth on Samhain. People would gather to light bonfires, offer sacrifices and pay homage to the deceased.

In America the tradition of going door to door seeking candy seems to have been firmly established around 1951.  When Christians look at culture that seeks to omit or  at a minimum dilute Christ from its practice, what should we do? Generally Christians have taken two approaches when it comes to Halloween:

1. Connect it to its pagan past and refuse to acknowledge it. To identify it as a devils holiday and refuse to participate in it.

2. Participate in the cultural celebration but distinguish between good and evil. In other words no devil costumes or vampires only princess and super Hero’s. This sometimes results in creating a new environment for its celebration like a fall festival or carnival.

What I believe God wants us to DO as Christians is to REDEEM Halloween. What? I believe the enemy, as always, overplayed his hand on Halloween. It is the one time in the calendar year where our world comes knocking on our door. To ignore the doorbell or the knock sends a message: “This family does not care about us or our children”.

How can we redeem Halloween? First we have to honestly acknowledge that our neighbors and friends have not studied the history of Halloween nor are they setting up at night offering sacrifices and waiting for the dead to come to life. They do not likely have an altar to the devil in their family room. They are simply using the date as a time to celebrate family, dressing up and getting FREE candy. If we do not settle that issue we cannot take the next step.

Remember that there are NO days on our calendar that God made for Satan. He may be trying to take some of them but we know he is a liar and a deceiver and God has called his Church (Christians) to set the record straight. It is up to us to REDEEM the days! We do that best when we meet our culture face-to- face not with a dark porch for a child in Darth Vader costume. When we can quote “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the World”… and we fold up our tents on October 31st what does that say to our neighbors about our faith? Our God, rules every day of the year!

Is He GREATER or not? If HE is let’s show the world. Turn on the light decorate your yard, put together a couple of games the kids can play on your driveway to win some candy. While they are playing the games meet their parents. LET JESUS SHINE! Invite your neighbors to church.

This year at the Grace Place we are hosting a Trunk or Treat. My wife and I will leave our home porch light on with a bowl of candy and a bowl of invitations to church. If you want to see me in person, I will be on the grill at the church preparing hot dogs for our church family and the community around our church. We open up at 5pm! Plan to join us.

One final thought… for all the kids collecting candy. Don’t forget to tithe on your candy. Be sure to give God your best… Snickers, Almond Joy, Chocolate bars. You get the picture. See you at Trunk or Treat!