Some have said that it originated with the Druids. I have heard that it was the response of pranksters responding to All Hallow's Eve by scaring those who celebrate the holiday. Well, I'm sure there are some tie ins here and there, but why has Halloween become the holiday it is today, and why do Americans celebrate this holiday?
It is becoming big, as there are people even in my neighborhood who put up Halloween lights! The economy is doing better because of Halloween. But what really is Halloween and what has it become?
This morning, I read an article by James B. Jordan called, Concerning Halloween. The article is excellent and has a whole new understanding of what Halloween was and why people celebrate it today. I will post the url here, in case you want to just read it for yourself: James B. Jordan - Concerning Halloween
According to the article, All Saints Day was a day celebrated by Christians which was about the Victory of the Saints who are in union with Christ, and began in the 300s. The practice spread in different parts of the world. There was no connection between this day (All Saints Day) and Celtic Druidism. The practice of the observance of this holiday finalized in the 700s and the date of November 1 was chosen to celebrate All Saints Day.
The origin of Halloween actually had to do with the defeat over the Powers of Darkness. It has to do with mocking the devil because he is a defeated foe. The Bible says that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual, and we can defeat the Enemy only through using the spiritual weapons today. According to the article, Halloween is the celebration of the mockery of the demonic forces, now that they have been defeated by the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ.
I would like to throw in a couple of thoughts here as well (hope I don't take up too much room. Will try to take up as little space as possible. I promise!). One thought is that of worship. What is worship exactly and are people really worshiping the Enemy when they dress up in costumes and collect candy from neighbors?
Worship is an issue of the heart. For example, if I have a decorated Christmas tree in my living room, it doesn't mean that I am worshiping the tree. But, if the tree is my love and my delight, if I treasure this tree in my heart, then that would fall toward worship. If I give power to the tree (if I think the tree can satisfy me or make me happy or fulfilled) then that would be worship. But just having a tree in the house to celebrate and decorate for a holiday is not worshiping the tree! Same thing with Halloween. If I want to go to my neighbor's house to collect candy on October 31st, I am not worshiping the devil! Now, I might be worshiping candy and that is a whole other issue! I have been guilty of that when I was a child, come to think of it. One Halloween came by when I was probably 8 years old, and I had the chicken pox. I couldn't go Trick or Treating that year, and I wasn't happy. I couldn't imagine not being able to collect candy from my neighbors! How horrible! Or so it seemed. If I only knew of God's greatness and power, and if I would have been in awe of God instead, the candy would not have mattered.
My second (and last) thought is this; is it wrong for Christians to take advantage of this holiday when people are coming to your door? I think it is a great idea to use this opportunity as an evangelistic outreach. This is one of the biggest times of the year when I get to see my neighbors and their kids, but also I get to give out specially imprinted toys with the Gospel message on them. Kids love coming to my house (I actually heard this out of a child's mouth last year) and I want to bless them with the Word of God. I want them to know what this house stands for, and I want them to take the Word of God home with them. I have even had opportunities to share the Gospel on Halloween at my house. And I pray that tonight, God's Word will have an even greater affect on people than in the past years. May more people come knocking on my door for candy, and a lot more!
Something for us all to think about.
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