It's now been a year since I posted my thoughts and concerns about Halloween. Since then, I'm pleased to see that more people are writing about this topic providing reasons why Christians should consider that Halloween might not mean innocent dress up time, games and candy. I share my own journey below.
“Trick?” or “Treat?” Unmasking Halloween http://realtruth.org/articles/111028-001.html
10 Reasons I Kissed Halloween Goodbye http://www.prophezine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=676%3A10-reasons-i-kissed-halloween-goodbye&catid=41%3Atop-headlines
October, 2012:
One of favorite memories of Halloween was when I was in the 2nd grade living in upstate New York. Having grown up in Texas, moving to New York was almost magical since the landscape, weather and even the people were so different. This particular Halloween followed the most magnificent Fall foliage I'd ever seen, and living near the Mohawk River reinforced my understanding of what an Indian Summer is for the days were warm and sunny while the nights were cool and clear. Besides the vivid surroundings, my teacher lived down my long street that faced what seemed like endless farmland. When I knocked on her door, shouting trick or treat when the door opened and I saw her smiling, she handed me the very best treat - a coin worth twenty five cents. To me that was like receiving a whole lot of money - it was truly the most valuable treat I received that night.
Then the years when by, we moved back to Texas and Halloween got scary. As I grew older, the holiday included a horror movie, ghost stories and even Ouiji boards - there was never a thought in my mind that this was harmful. Everyone I knew seemed to do this so I thought it must be ok. Later I got married and had children. When my sons were 14 months and 3 years old they were placed in daycare and since it was October, a Halloween celebration was scheduled. I was really excited and even got out my sewing machine to make clown costumes for my boys. I was so wrapped up in this event that I even dressed up my face to look like a clown, but was mortified when I was the only adult who dressed up for the event. After this embarrassing situation, future Halloweens consisted of just taking my sons trick or treating. Then just a few years later, Halloween became dangerous. Razor blades where found in kid's candy and treats and to remedy the problem, hospitals started offering free Xrays for candy bags.
Years later in 1993, I experienced a paradigm shift. My view about Halloween changed. It's hard to briefly explain what all contributed to this change but it's clear that it's because I changed. As a baby Christian, God was transforming me into His image. Nineteen years ago God arranged events in such a way that I've never liked Halloween since. It was then that God convicted me that I should have no part of this holiday and that conviction continues. It grieves me that people seem to enjoy it so much. I'm not surprised that nonbelievers enjoy the holiday, but when believers enjoy it - it troubles me greatly. Last year I received some comfort when I found and watched this video with John Piper speaking on the topic.
Perhaps if you're like me and you wish Halloween would just not exist, then this video might help you and if you happen to love Halloween and you're a Christ-follower, then perhaps you'll consider what the ramifications might be when you support such a holiday. I don't mind the dressing up if there are no scary creatures, and I don't mind giving away and eating candy, and I love getting together with others to fellowship, but please keep out the things God hates. Avoid the things that frighten children, don't share ghost stories or attend haunted houses, and consider doing something more wholesome like having a Fall Harvest Party or better yet consider celebrating Reformation Day for it was on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the chapel door in Wittenberg which then added great fuel to the Protestant Reformation. What can be greater than celebrating what God has done for His people through history? And how fun to dress up in medieval clothing, play games, and learn Church history while celebrating this day. My hope and my prayer is that whatever we may do as believers, we will consider His commandments and do what is pleasing and glorifying to God.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
If you need further convincing about why I'm concerned about Halloween, read Dr. Albert Mohler's article concerning the dark side of Halloween and you'll see that Halloween is not just for fun and dress up, it's a portal for the devil to enter and that's enough for me to have nothing to do with Halloween. http://www.albertmohler.com/2012/10/29/christianity-and-the-dark-side-what-about-halloween-4/Resources:
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/ask-pastor-john/what-are-your-thoughts-on-halloween
http://churchhistoryabcs.com/index.html
http://stayathomemyheart.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/reformation-day-party-ideas/
http://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-reformation-day-all-about/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=%2Breformation%20%2Bday&utm_content=!acq!v2!s-b-7790359824-2237709624&utm_campaign=Category++-+US+-+Seasonal&gclid=CKqK3Oq5n7MCFXGRPAodNC8ApQ
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