Hello ,
I have to admit it right up front; Halloween is my least favorite holiday. Although I certainly did my share of "trick-or-treating" when I was a kid, I often struggle with the amount of value that there is in dressing up in a spooky costume and going door to door asking for candy.
The origins of Halloween are Celtic in tradition and have to do with observing the end of summer sacrifices to gods in Druidic tradition. In what is now Britain and France, it was the beginning of the Celtic year, and they believed Samhain, the lord of death, sent evil spirits abroad to attack humans, who could escape only by assuming disguises and looking like evil spirits themselves. The waning of the sun and the approach of dark
winter made the evil spirits rejoice and play nasty tricks. Believe it or not, most of our Halloween practices can be traced back to these old pagan rites and superstitions.(1)
It might shock some people to discover that Halloween is a celebrated day by those who follow Wicca. When this is coupled with the idea that everything about this day can be traced back to pagan origins, it does give one pause to really consider who and what this day is really all about.
Is there something positive that can come from all of this? Should we just shut off our porch lights and try to ignore those little children who innocently follow something that they simply do not understand?
The apostle Paul had something to say about reaching out to his fellow man within the practices, cultures, and traditions that they were accustomed to. Check out this passage of scripture found in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22
"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law. To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.To
the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
It's clear to me after reading the word of God that (at least for me,) the very best thing that we can do is be loving, kind, and gentle to those we come in contact with...even if they're dressed up like little ghosts.
We can effectively share our love for Jesus with the children that step up on our porches by giving them something of value. It might be a pencil that says "God loves you," or a small children's bible (these can be purchased at an inexpensive price online.) Whatever we choose to place in their little bags should be given with a smile, a loving attitude, and a gentle reminder to ourselves of what we might feel like if we
were in their shoes.
It's the loving thing to do, and the God that we serve is all about love!
Have a great day and God bless!
(1) - "Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?"
