I’d like to offer my view on this… I know not all will agree with me. And that’s okay!
**
First of all, I’m not a fan of the term “celebrate” when used for Halloween.
We are not “celebrating” anything.
(Semantics, I know.)
But we do “participate” in the seasonal fun and festivities of Autumn / Halloween, in our own way.
Our way?
Has boundaries…
Lines we diligently try not to cross.
It’s that simple!
**
So what is Halloween for my family?
It’s an ‘autumnal’ time for seeking out thrills and excitement… with exploring, and outings, creativity, loads of candy, tons of laughter, a healthy dose of spookiness, and lots of good times!
It’s making memories with our kiddos, and having fun as a family.
It’s togetherness.
It’s tradition.
(“Mummy Meatloaf” night; Disney’s version of Ichabod; and Little House on the Prairie’s Halloween episode are our seasonal repeat musts!)
It’s a few weeks of doing all the wonderful “fall” things, pertaining to everything: pumpkins and pumpkin patches, orchards, sunflowers, bats, farms, corn mazes, hay rides, ghost stories, sweets and treats, hot apple and pumpkin spiced beverages, amazing weather, and dressing up as a crazy character – going door to door for candy with friends.
It’s fellowshipping.
It’s creative.
It’s FUN!
And I love it!! WE love it.
It’s some of my favorite childhood memories…
Memories I cherish.
And we chose to pass the same cherished memory-making down to our children.
The “season” (we call it “spooky season”) is such a blend of many fantastic things…
All of which are GIFTS to behold.
**
Okay, so the RUB?
Sure – Halloween may be a day when some people actually “celebrate” something evil.
But that does not make everyone having fun with festivities for Halloween, as “celebrating evil.”
Yes, it has its demonic aspects… but it also has its many good aspects. (See my list above.)
It does not have to be all or nothing…
As I believe there is a balance we can settle into.
Without conviction.
**
Most of the holidays we celebrate have pagan roots, including Christmas.
But we don’t have to involve our hearts in those roots. (Most of us ignore them anyways.)
[Side note: I personally believe that “Santa” is a bigger threat and more dangerous to our children than Halloween… but that’s another topic all together.]
Or another example: Herbs and essential oils are used in witchcraft and rituals…
But that doesn’t make the herbs and oils themselves, evil.
God made those… Intended for our good.
Point being… Just because something is used for unbiblical practices, doesn’t make the thing itself, evil.
And October 31st is not evil.
It is the Lord’s day, as are ALL the days.
It’s what you do with it…
And where your heart is, that matters.
**
So what do I mean about GHOST STORIES?
I’m a Christian, aren’t we forbidden to tell, or watch ghost stories?
Personally, I don’t think so.
There are “ghost” stories in the Bible.
I’m sure back then, they sat around telling those stories…
And were probably ‘thrilled’ by them too.
Many ghost stories fall under fantasy and fiction. Just like the characters we see…
And I’m referring to the “kid-friendly” ghosts (white sheet version), witches (green faces, big nose, pointy hats version), Dracula, Frankenstein, Mummies…
They are FICTIONAL CHARACTERS.
Like the make-believe tales intended to bring excitement, and the thrills and chills we find ourselves having when we get a little spooked!
(‘Spooked’ resulting in laughter – not fear.)
I don’t believe letting ourselves get a little ‘spooked’ is wrong or sinful.
(Diving into fear is another story.)
But we are designed to wanna be the heroic conquerers of the bad and evil (think little boys and their make-believe swords!)
And some may benefit to hear about or even see some of the demonic imagery in order to better understand this.
Consider giving older kids a little exposure if they want to challenge themselves! My kids get their limited exposure through the filters of their parents boundaries.
What is fantasy and what is reality, we teach our children the differences.
We:
Do not “celebrate” real evil.
Do not dabble in the occult.
Do not delight in the dark, demonic imagery.
We recognize the darkness we see for what it is…
Something we have an escape from, through Jesus.
We might see a horrific demonic figure, and I’ll point it out and say, “THAT is why I’m so thankful for Jesus, and what He did for us to make a way of escape from Hell, “where the worm never dies.””
Our children have seen and heard their share – to know the demonic realm is a real ongoing battle.
They are constantly being taught and warned… As it would be careless NOT to teach them.
**
Did you know, the Bible says ‘you shall not permit a witch (sorceress) to live’?
That is serious stuff…
So we are well aware of the deeply serious manner by which the Bible teaches of the occult.
**
I write this, because I’ve see the posts and comments that are all but indicative of those who DO participate in Halloween – that they aren’t really SAVED.
Seriously?
One comment I saw said, “so-called Christians who celebrate Halloween…”
Hmm, then that perspective could go for other things too, like with Santa Clause.
Another said, “Halloween teaches it’s okay to do evil, as long as it’s at church.”
That’s almost laughable…
I can assure you – me, the hubs and my children are not “doing evil” at church or in a neighborhood on October 31st.
Most people aren’t.
I repeat – our hearts do not “celebrate evil” or the occult, or anything of that nature. We are against those things.
But I believe Halloween CAN be simple harmless fun if done right…
With firm boundaries set in place.
**
Jenna Pelias at troublefacemom wrote:
“Are so many of us really willing to keep our lights off and our doors closed because the neighbors are coming calling for candy instead of Jesus? Are we really sitting on our couches the other 364 days of the year waiting for them to show up looking for a revival? What exactly is so redeemed about the rest of the nights of the year? Lights are out, door is locked, nobody has a clue from the outside that Jesus is home.”
Right?
And another quote I agree with (author unknown):
“Halloween was the most innocent, stupid fun night of the year. Whatever the historical or spiritual origins of Halloween may be, I was like most kids and families who were then and still are today just in it for the fun and candy. That’s it. The dark side of Halloween was off limits for us. My parents aren’t into that either. Those houses with the people we knew were ignoring us? We figured they were religious nuts or hated kids or both.”
And I also like this one…
Another author elsewhere said Halloween activities are “innocent branches of a tree whose roots can go evilly deep.”
**
Just remember, Halloween stuff is not a salvation issue.
In other words, participating in Halloween activities won’t send one to Hell.
What will keep one out of Heaven?
Is a lack of faith in Jesus…
Not trick-or-treating.
**
However, with all of what I’m sharing…
If the Lord gives me conviction otherwise, in this area in due time… I’ll know it.
I’ll listen.
Conviction varies from person to person…
And what convicts one, might not convict another.
**
But for now, I think we as Christians CAN find balance here, by:
Keeping it light.
Staying in the shallow waters.
Among the innocent branches.
Not sinning with it.
Sharing Christ. (Always!)
And giving God thanks in all the good things we experience!
Recognize the evil aspects are where lines are crossed, and stick to staying within the safe boundaries.
We can, as this quote states well:
“…dress up in a fun costume that your child chooses and go out and have a good time. Knock on doors saying, “trick or treat!” Put a smile on community member’s faces as your child says thank you and walks away. Kids are meant to be kids and they want to have fun. Why should we make Halloween more than that? Get out there, have some fun, make memories, and be a light in the dark world.”
**
In closing…
I truly and personally believe Christians can enjoy some Halloween thrills and excitement!
As in all things… God looks at the heart.
Not at the pumpkins we carve, nor the spooky corn mazes we visit, nor the silliness we find ourselves partaking in on Halloween night.
He looks at…
Do we love Him above all?
Do we strive to live a life that honors Him?
Is Halloween – or anything else, being put above Him?
If so, therein lies the problem…
We can make our “idols” in this life if we aren’t careful.
**
So in EVERYTHING we do… We give it all back to the Lord in praise and thanks!
Including October 31st…
And all the family fun we’ve ever had on this particular night.🙂
Colleen Farris 