Halloween or, Not
There is a lot of controversy over Halloween in the Christian culture. There is sufficient Scripture to convince me that it is something to avoid, and I feel that it treads too close to danger to risk it. Does that mean NO Christian should participate? That's not for me to say. Does it mean that Christians who do participate aren't really Christians? I don't think so, but God knows the heart. I am disheartened at this time of year, hearing Christians bash each other over it.
So, what to do? Leave home and attend a party at someone else's home? That's fun. Stay home and hide behind the shades and pretend you are somewhere else? That sounds like a drag.
This is what we do, and this has evolved over the years from fully participating in the day, to backing off, and ending up not participating at all. It came about after we started feeling not quite right about the celebration of death and evil, mixed in with the the cute and innocent costumes and the Harvest aspect of this time of year. We do buy pumpkins and leave them out for most of October. On the day of Halloween, we (the kids have taken this over) carve them up and roast the seeds. Then, the kids place their art work on the hearth and put lighted candles inside. We eat the roasted seeds while watching Charlie Brown's It's the Great Pumpkin.
Trick or treaters are out at 6 pm, and we are about to sit down to a cozy dinner. But first, I turn on every light in the house, except the front porch light, and I make sure all the shades are open. Why? To be a literal light in a dark world. To live our lives in the world, but not part of it. To celebrate the day as a family, and to give a meaning to the day that is different than the one the world has given it. Do we eat chocolate? YES! And we talk about Reformation Day and Luther's 95 Theses. We pop popcorn and maybe watch a movie or play a game. And we have devotions and pray for the dark world in which we live.
To each his own and according to his own conscience. I won't beat you over the head with my convictions nor will I look down on you for yours. But I wanted to share for the benefit of those who are wanting to head away from the traditional Halloween into new territory. You are not alone! And you can find a way to live the day that you feel is right. Here is one way.
So, what to do? Leave home and attend a party at someone else's home? That's fun. Stay home and hide behind the shades and pretend you are somewhere else? That sounds like a drag.
This is what we do, and this has evolved over the years from fully participating in the day, to backing off, and ending up not participating at all. It came about after we started feeling not quite right about the celebration of death and evil, mixed in with the the cute and innocent costumes and the Harvest aspect of this time of year. We do buy pumpkins and leave them out for most of October. On the day of Halloween, we (the kids have taken this over) carve them up and roast the seeds. Then, the kids place their art work on the hearth and put lighted candles inside. We eat the roasted seeds while watching Charlie Brown's It's the Great Pumpkin.
Trick or treaters are out at 6 pm, and we are about to sit down to a cozy dinner. But first, I turn on every light in the house, except the front porch light, and I make sure all the shades are open. Why? To be a literal light in a dark world. To live our lives in the world, but not part of it. To celebrate the day as a family, and to give a meaning to the day that is different than the one the world has given it. Do we eat chocolate? YES! And we talk about Reformation Day and Luther's 95 Theses. We pop popcorn and maybe watch a movie or play a game. And we have devotions and pray for the dark world in which we live.
To each his own and according to his own conscience. I won't beat you over the head with my convictions nor will I look down on you for yours. But I wanted to share for the benefit of those who are wanting to head away from the traditional Halloween into new territory. You are not alone! And you can find a way to live the day that you feel is right. Here is one way.
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