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There seems to be a growing interest and an increase in the participation of what is known as Halloween, which is designated to be October 31 each year.

In today's society, we see houses decorated with witches, jack-o-lanterns, and ghosts that rival the decorations of Christmas. Sales of these items are at an all time high, while it seems that the original meaning of this event has been totally masked by the tradition of it.

Holiday literally means "holy day," where something significant that God has done is to be celebrated. Hallow means to sanctify or make holy, or to consecrate and set something apart for God's use and pleasure. The original name for October 31 was "All Hallows Eve" or All Saints Day, but has veered completely to the point that Halloween has nothing to do with anything godly or anyone that is holy.

Instead of attacking the tradition though, lets take a very practical look at the practice of Halloween as it relates to Christian parents and their children and teenagers.

How should this supposedly innocent yearly event rate in our lives as people of God?

Reasons Parents Give for Celebrating Halloween
Let us look at some of the reasoning that Christians have for participating in this event. I think you will find that the truth as expressed in God's Word far outweighs the typical thinking of parents on this subject:
  1. It Is Just Innocent Fun
    This whole event has its deepest roots in the occult. Thousands of years before Christ, the Celtic New Year was November 1, and on the evening before, Samhain, the Lord of Death, along with evil spirits, supposedly released disembodied beings to go and possess humans.

    Druid priests would go door to door asking for animals or a human being for sacrifice, which they would put into wicker cages and burn alive to appease the evil spirits. If the people would "treat" them with a sacrifice, then they would not be "tricked" or cursed.

    Ephesians 5:1 states for us to be imitators of God as dear children, not imitators of Druid Priests, evil or darkness. Our instructions are to imitate all that is good; we are to be a blessing to mankind as imitators of God's nature and character.
  2. All Their Friends Do It
    Nowhere in the Bible does it instruct us to go along with the crowd, please men, or blend in. We are to teach our children to be salt and light in a world of darkness.

    Ephesians 5:6-11 states clearly to not be partakers with darkness and disobedience, but to walk as children of light, and to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather to expose it.
  3. We Went Trick or Treating as Kids
    Just because you were taught something as a child does not mean that is was right. Think about it. What are you teaching your children through trick or treating?
    • It is OK to pretend you are someone else that may have special powers and characteristics that you do not really have.
    • It is OK to wander from house to house in the dark and ask for food.
    • It is OK to try and scare people, instilling fear into each other.
    • It is OK to be greedy and take things from strangers for free.

    While your child is learning these lessons from Halloween, ask yourself this:
    - Do your children know the 10 Commandments?
    - Do your children know Psalm 23 which provides faith in a Living God?
    - Do your children know and pray the Lord's Prayer?
    - Are your children trained better in darkness or light?

    Deuteronomy 6:6-7 commands that we teach our children Gods Word diligently, while walking, sitting and lying down, which is pretty much most of the time.
  4. We Don't Want Our Children's Friends to Think We're Weird
    There is a lot of social pressure on families today to conform to the world and be like everyone else, but when we do that, what lessons are we teaching our children? The world we live in has many problems, but now is the time that we "Come out from among them, and be separate."

    The next generation needs to know that God is real, the Bible is true, and truth is worth standing up for. When we conform to society and become just like everyone else, that only teaches them we do not really believe that what the Bible says is true.
  5. We Do Not Want Our Children To Miss Out On All The Fun
    If our children are being taught that wearing a mask, spreading fear, and taking things from others are fun, then something is seriously wrong with the program.

    Instead, you can make your own fun. Do activities as a family, or with your church, that promotes fellowship, communication and character. A lot of churches do alternatives and teach about harvest time. Here are some ideas:

    Have a family night—make some memories
    A. Go somewhere special together
    B. Camp out in the living room or back yard
    C. Play games that develop Communication

    Attend a special church celebration
    A. Praise & Worship Night or concert
    B. Fall festivals with games and fun
    C. Let the children dress up as Bible Characters & study that person

    Create an outreach
    A. Share Jesus door to door
    B. Put on a community activity for your city or neighborhood that meets specific needs
Let us take our responsibility as Christian parents seriously; let's pray and be creative in training our children in Godly action and love for our fellow man.

Halloween is not holy in its practice around the world today, but we can be set apart for God and be a bright shining light for ALL to see.

Copyright © Citywave Church
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Author Biography

Spencer Nordyke
Web site: Nordyke Ministries
 
Spencer grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and moved to Texas at the age of 17. He loves helping people meditate through the Word of God to so they can unlock God’s destiny for their lives. He has been playing guitar for years and loves to take people into the presence and glory of God.
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