When I was a kid, Halloween was one of the best nights of the year. We lived in Drumheller, Alberta then. My mom and dad were both quite into Halloween and often lent their skills to the creating of fine, sometimes elaborate costumes. The costume I remember most vividly was worn the year I went out as a Roman Centurion. My mom, good at sewing, made the clothing and my father had somehow constructed an impressive Centurion helmet out of a plastic javex bottle. Dad and I crafted a sword of wood and gilded in tinfoil. Mom attached leather straps to sandals so they criss-crossed up my legs to the knees. As far as I could tell, I had the best costume in town and more than one envious kid said as much.
In those days, it seemed like every kid and half the adults in town were out on the streets as we attempted to fill our pillow cases till they were so heavy we had to return home to empty them before going out again. The only hint of real evil that anyone concerned themselves with came from isolated incidents of pins or razor blades having been inserted into apples. And so mom would make us cut up the apples before we could eat them. Otherwise, it was just good fun.
Then over the years things started to change – with increasing incidents of tampered-with malevolent treats there came to be real safety issues. And I remember the first time I heard of a local church officially abstaining from Halloween on the grounds that it was a “real” occult festival and therefore a Christian’s duty to resist. They, instead, opened the church basement for an alternative night for kids and called it a “Hallelujah!” party. Oh my….
Now, it seems like Halloween has almost become a non-event in our neighbourhood with a handful of wee-ones out with mom or dad between 6 and 7 pm followed by an hour or two of teenagers who for the most part don’t need to dress up to be a worrisome site.
Too bad. I miss the good ol’ days when the town would be crawling with kids and parents greeting, laughing at each other, walking together, knocking on the doors of the elderly who might otherwise never get a visit, celebrating the community by being out in it.
So, how did we lose this?
It’s true that the origins of Halloween come from a dark, Celtic pagan festival called Samhain. The Celts believed there was a night every fall where the veil between the living and the dead became very thin and indeed, the souls of the dead could cross over to the land of the living. This was frightening as it meant that besides the souls of departed loved ones, the souls of one’s enemies might also come by with evil intent. To ward off the malevolent ones, the Celts would cut up gourds into frightening faces, and themselves would dress in costumes so as to be unrecognizable to the restless, roaming spirits. It was a long and frighting night to be endured.
According to legend, things changed when St. Patrick came to Ireland. He was aware of and saddened by the annual terror the Celts had to endure and so started to teach that as Christians, not only are we not afraid of the dead, but we celebrate the saints who have gone before; those who, still alive in Christ, are always near and dear to us. Patrick started the practice of going out on Samhain with a bag full of sweet cakes and knocking on doors, cheerfully giving them to his cowering friends and neighbors.
Somewhere in there, and I’m not sure of the dates, the practice of cheerfully going out in generous neighborliness, instead of cowering in caged fear, became attached to the church’s celebration of All Saint’s Day. And Halloween, All Hallowed Evening, came to be celebrated on the night before the Church celebrates all the saints who, though invisible to us, continue to pray for and root for those of us who have not yet completed our journey.
Personally, it makes me sad that the Church (in part) seems to have retreated into the very fear-based isolation St. Patrick’s lively faith contradicted. So sadly ironic. And we have done this in so many areas of common life. It seems to me that we could be out participating in the wider culture; joyfully, cheerfully, confidently handing out ’sweets’ in the various cultural arenas: politics, arts, education, science, festivals etc. We need not do this in the defensive, combative spirit we’ve become famous for, but with a caring neighborliness befitting the character of the Christ whom we worship. And we need not be concerned that we will be tainted in our efforts. For we do not draw from a shallow well, but the inexhaustible Christ who gave himself entirely so that all would know that the organizing and redeeming principle of the cosmos is not self-securing fear, but self-donating love.
Happy Halloween!
a
btw – the vomiting pumpkin is a creation of my weird wife who is otherwise a lovely person 
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Posted on November 18th
I love Nancy’s pumpkin. She is lovely, this wife of yours, but what I love the most is her weird-wild side!
Posted on November 17th
I think you’ve touched on a valid point; though as you realized the principal is far more reaching then just halloween. When Jesus said: “If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). He was not only speaking of salvation but the freedom of it. That there would be liberty to experiance life outside of the normal confines of the “fold”.
In the next verse that follows Jesus says that the thief does not come except to steal; kill and destroy; while Jesus says “…I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJ).
Now in contrast to Jesus’ light yoke and easy burden that He brings to ones life (Matt. 11:28-30). The Pharisees as their name implies were separtists isolating themselves from the greater community in which they lived in the hopes of purfying themselves. A similair group mentioned briefly in the N.T. was the Essenes. They are believed to have been those who started the community at Quram (i.e. where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered). The result though of such isolation whether in Jewish; Christian or even Musilm circles historically never seems to have positive effects on their adherents.
While in contrast the Lord Jesus was always engaging of the culture He step into. And it was often because of His contraversial assocations with known sinners that He fell into the disdainful regard of such individuals. Yet His purpose was not to be contraversial.
Rather it was for healing and repentance of many that He took such risks (Matt. 9:9-13). If it meant His reputation or Person would be called into question. He bore it. For love demands action, not isolation (Luke 15:3-7).
I guess for us as individual believers or would be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we must decide for ourselves just what our comfort zones are. But engagment of our culture, if done wisely and tacfully, can never be a bad thing. For both might come to a better understanding of each other and who they are. And we just might become greater agents by which God plants seeds of grace, hope and life through us as well.
Posted on November 12th
I appreciate your argument, and I think I agree – that rather than simply retreating from Halloween, Christians can participate, but in our participation still show our difference.
But I thought the vomiting pumpkin undermined your point – if Christians are going to participate, then we shouldn’t join in celebrating what’s dark, disturbing and disgusting. Where’s the antithesis then?
Posted on November 7th
This was a very good blog – I have thought for a long time that Halloween or another festival or time of celebration doesn’t have to be given over the satan or the world. We have the power of Christ to redeem anything from evil’s temptation or the flesh’s lust. Instead of banning things…let’s look for creative ways to engage the culture with redemptive joy and dare, I say: “fun”.
And I LOVE the barfing pumpkin – superb job. Gotta love ya Nancy, Karen Flack-Buettner.
Posted on November 5th
Thanks Steve for a well reasoned Christian’s response to dealing with Halloween – to be involved rather than disassociating ourselves from an opportunity to connect with our community.
Appreciated the perspective of St. Patrick that you brought to light. I agree that the Church ought to be actively encouraging believers to engage the community in the various cultural arenas.
Posted on November 5th
Your wife’s the vomiting pumpkin was excellent. She could have won a competition, I give her the blue ribbon. Loved the article too. You truly have a gift for writing. I enjoy all that you write.
Posted on November 5th
Me again! I find every comment here of value. This Halloween tug and pull (and Christmas can be the same way) seems to grab our sensibilities year after year. I especially was intrigued by the parallel made to the events at the crucifixion – something that I’m sure I’ve even studied in the past but hadn’t thought of in years. I’m not sure you can make a connection. But there is food for thought there. As I approach 40 years of the Christian dance, I find myself relaxing into the simplicity of it. It really is about a day to day journey, with our hands firmly in the Father’s, and with the enjoyment of Jesus’ occasional (or daily) wink. And as I write this I’m listening to Al Gore talking to Charlie Rose about the environmental crisis we face – another very emotional and heated debate.. There are such huge issues for us in this day. Way beyond whether we should be carving pumpkins or not.
Posted on November 5th
Thanks, Steve. We are working on the concept of helping new believers think through replacing their old religious holidays with new celebrations, and this discussion was very helpful. Of course, hearing about the old days in Drum is also fun.
Rod
Posted on November 4th
Hey Steve… I like your article but i would like to suggest that the origins of Halloween are not in the Celtic Culture. i believe that culture was imitating something that was real and perhaps scary but originated somewhere else.
The bible tells us that when Christ died, a spectacular event happened. Matthew 27:50 says, “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”
I think the world and Satan have been trying to imitate and distort this amazing victory over death ever since. Imagine the city at the time… relatives long dead show up at the door for tea! It was scary but also a celebration. Perhaps we in the church have missed something and given away the resurrection moment the same way we gave away Easter in general, and Christmas and ?
I dont think we should participate in the imitation, but rather in the real! Just some thoughts from an old red head. By the way, i know your uncle Steve and Blance. I learned a great deal from them growing up!
Posted on November 4th
Amen! I’m not sure we can find any custom without something pagan or dark in its origins. But we did grow up in a home that outlawed anything to do with Halloween. And my older kids complain that it took until our youngest for us to just jump in. Why not celebrate the good in something that can include an entire community, and I loved the part about St. Patrick – that part of the story isn’t well-known. We had very few out this year, but I think it is because so many have the flu. Yet another bit of wisdom from “The Well of a Minstrel” – my phrase for Steve’s works
.
Posted on November 4th
Halloween night is an amazing time in our community in Edmonton. Adults dress up with their kids, the streets are alive with everyone chatting and laughing and it’s great to connect. We have taken our firepit out front and had chairs and hot chocolate set up. This year the plan was for the teenagers on our block to set up carnival games for the young kids along the front of our houses. Unfortunately the flu hit a few houses and we are planning for the games for next year. Thanks for your words. Let’s get to know our neighbors and be a part of God’s kingdom in our neigborhood.
Posted on November 4th
Oh my, i really enjoyed the article on halloween. Thanks for taking us through the process of looking back and figuring it out more accurately. The idea of being out there and generously participating in this fun event makes alot of sense to me!
Posted on November 4th
THANK-YOU! I love the way you put this. And just one more reason for me to admire St. Patrick.
Posted on November 4th
Thanks for your thoughts. I’ve shifted all over the map on the Halloween issue depending on where I’ve lived and the life stages of me and my kids. When my son was terified by masked kids coming to the door, we decided to avoid the day. We’ve also gone to a church party, and been in community parties because travelling the streets was not safe. I’ve also dressed up and provided supplies for other revelers. Some of the creativity I’ve seen is awesome. The whole evil side is bothersome, but trying to ignore or redeem the day is bothersome as well. However, the cheap candy available after the day is my favourite part!
Posted on November 4th
Also recall Winnipeg Halloweens, the warmth of open doors and welcomes to “Hall-o-ween Ap-ples!!” Years of having to recite a poem, sing a song, tell a joke before the treat was forthcoming. I stopped giving out candy years ago, after living thru the viral aftermath of a sugar holiday with my Grade 2’s. Living in rural Cherryville, BC meant the holiday was celebrated in spectacular fashion, one year a gang of us adults dressed as a band of aliens with a space ship we carried , the craft and our costumes were built of silver fabric and we had gross papier mache heads. We won the costume prize at the Lumby dance..Glad I experienced these things, now as I age I passed this year’s Eve at Vernon Alliance church, in a service led by Corey Doak, then went to a Kal Lake lookout to photograph the fireworks. I passed on the dance to stay home and listen to my 2 new Corey Doak CD’s, and my Jodi King CD.
Nanci, that barfing pumpkin was like nothing I ever imagined. I hope you used it to bake with! Suzy Homemaker tip: How to get into hard shelled squash: place squash in a cloth bag and whack it on a cement surface, if that isn’t quite enough, jump on it while still in the bag. Then you have chunks to steam to get the skin off. I eat mostly vegs and I am eating a steady diet of roasted together parsnips, yams and squash, sometimes carrots too. very tasty and satisfying in cooler weather.
Leila
Posted on November 4th
Of course we can’t just add a bit of Jesus to something evil , or baptize a Pagan feast and call it Christian, but that’s not what has happened to Saturnalia (Christmas) or Samhain (Halloween). It is Jesus who adopts the Pagans (our ancestors) filling them, and their old festivals with himself. Samhain where is your sting? Saturnalia, where is your victory?
So, lets all go out and make ghouls of ourselves, remembering that Halloween is actually a gift from our pagan ancestors, and St Paddy and his friends. The former came up with this funny idea, but it was the latter who made it fun.
Love your stuff – Dan
Posted on November 4th
I too wish the glamorization of the dark side of Halloween was not so drastic. People do tent to get carried away. It is just as disappointing as the commercialization of Christmas.
Posted on November 3rd
Steve, I laughed & laughed at your comment about the Hallelujah party, because our church growing up as kids was a Hallelujah party church
So funny…right up there with the “Midnight Gladness” sale at our local Christian bookstore 
(not to knock the store, which is run by an awesome guy whom you know 
Just thought I’d share that for what it’s worth. Great article…and nice to see a pic of your lovely wife too.
Cheers.
Esther G.
Posted on November 3rd
Steve,
Growing up in a Reformed home, the question wasn’t whether we could go out for Halloween – it was whether or not we should actually reward those “sinners” who came to the door with candy. The fear of tricks gave way to our providing treats.
I was so envious of those kids in costumes, one time I dressed up in the bathroom, snuck out the window and knocked on our own door. My Mom recognized me, and simply told me to come inside. The least she could have done is reward me with a candy for my creative efforts.
Today I view Halloween the way Paul dealt in Romans 14 with the dicy question of eating meat offered to idols. If your faith doesn’t allow it, don’t go there. Just don’t judge others who do, or flaunt your freedom to the detriment of someone who can’t see past the evil connections with this day.
Thanks for your musing and barfing pumpkin!
Bill
Posted on November 3rd
One of the many blessing of being an Anglican is that we are aware that our God is so much bigger than many fundamentalists would believe, and that we need not live our lives in fear. We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…
Happy All Saints Day and God bless. By the way, we do have a symphony here in the Okangagan, you know! Wish you were coming this December! Think about it for next year!
Posted on November 3rd
Sorry to say this but putting Christ into anything that is demonic and glorifying of th eoccult does not make it right. Too many pagan celebrations have been “Christianized” and I find that as I grow in Christ my desire to partake in any of them wanes. Halloweén, Christmas and Easter to name a few, are all pagan celebrations with Christ thrown in for good measure. Please, for the sake of your eternal life with Christ, learn the truth behind these “holidays” and pray Christ will show you what He truly desires you to do. True Christianity has been so “watered down” and blended with pagan beliefs that I am sure Christ would not recognize the things being taught by His “Church”. May God bless you and direct you, granting you discernment and knowledge where it is required.
Posted on November 3rd
Let’s not confuse the innocence of past Halloweens, celebrated in community, when the scariest costume you’d see was a kid wearing a sheet to represent a ghost, with the evil and gore Halloween is today. If you want to be a testimony to your neighbours, it isn’t handing out candy on one night that’s going to do it. I’m a very visual person. Graves, skeletons, blood-dripping ghouls just don’t do it for me. I CHOOSE not to be a part of it, and quite frankly I’m amazed that Halloween’s Satanic connection is so easily forgotten, or dismissed. Sorry Steve, I love your music and your musings, but I gotta disagree with you on this one.
Posted on November 3rd
Regarding “Christian” occasions as opposed to pagan ones, where does it say we’re to celebrate Christmas or Easter. I don’t recall Jesus instructing us to “do this in remembrance of Me”.
Posted on November 3rd
I agree with your sentiments. Thank you for voicing them. I’m your age, Steve, and so many people have missed out on the community and fun we had those nights. I helped each of my 4 children make their own costumes each year, and we had such fun doing that!
Posted on November 3rd
Hi Steve, thanks for the thought provoking blog on Halloween. I grew up as a Non Christian kid who just had a lot of fun with Halloween. Today I am a father of three sons and a pastor and so at times my wife and I have really struggled because in our community of Maple Ridge many people get right into H. and decorate their yards. Some decorate them in very goulish ways, so when our kids were really young we choose alternative activites like swimming to do on that evening. In recent years however, we have let our kids go out and we use the evening to connect with our neighbours and guide our kids in learning how to, as you so well put, “redeem” our society. But at the end of the day for my boys it really is best summed up in my 11 year old’s statement, “DAD, its a night of free candy!”
Learning – Ken
Posted on November 3rd
Nancy, that’s just gross. My 14 year old loved it!
Posted on November 3rd
Very Fine Pumpkin Nancy!
Posted on November 3rd
Steve, I too am enduring the flu. Only thing to do is rest, and drink a lit. Thank you for intoducing your lovely wife.
I grew up in the Roman Catholic tradition in Edmonton. Us kids thought we were so lucky (and superior) because the Catholic schools got the day off in honor of “All Saints”.
Gradually that came to an end, as did “Farmers Day”
You have a very lively Faith that you express so beautifully. Thank You
Keep Well Steve
Posted on November 3rd
Steve, that was awesome. Thanks for sharing that with us!
Posted on November 3rd
Thanks Steve. One quick comment, I live in a small town in Alberta (our population is 25% under 15 years of age) and the Halloween tradition is still very much in full-gear. All the kids dress up for school (my husband is a VP and they do a full parade). Houses get all decorated and our house alone had well over 150 kids with parents in tow, some of whom were dressed up too. I understand the debate and the concern, but I think your points were well made. Thanks again.
Posted on November 3rd
Amen to that thought Steve!
Posted on November 3rd
Thank you! My “weird” hubby & I decorate and celebrate with just these intentions on all holidays. And the response from children and their parents is so rewarding ~ their unadulterated delight and gratitude makes it so worthwhile. It is so sad to read of Balck & Orange day, of Season’s Greetings and Spring Break … why are we always stuffing good intentions down the drain? What a sad legacy for our children to be given! This article is TERRIFIC!
Posted on November 3rd
Love it. Will be passing it around.
When my family lived out in the boonies and the kids were very young, we didn’t go trick-or-treating because they never really asked to. So I didn’t push it. Instead we’d have a party at my sister’s with all the cousins and fun games, candy and costumes. (I’m certainly not opposed to fun and sweets!)
But now the children are older, and ever since we’ve moved to a new neighborhood (more suburb-like), things have changed somewhat. I find that it makes a much stronger POSITIVE statement to go out on Halloween with my kids and/or throw open my doors to the other children and families of the neighborhood than it would to barricade my house and turn off all the lights and cower inside. What message would that send my kids, anyway? And to be welcoming (rather than simply “fearful”) actually makes me much more “neighbourly”, hence loving, hospitable and Christ-like. As I told my kids, greater is He that is in us anyway, so what do we have to fear? I mean, the good book *does* say “perfect love casts out fear”, after all…
Posted on November 3rd
Great thought, Steve.
I too grew up in a pastor’s home and had great fun on Halloween. Apart from negative history that has been attached to this day, it is also a great day to celebrate God’s reformation of the church. It was the day martin Luther nailed the 95 thesis to the door and started a process that called his church back to the glory of salvation by grace through faith alone. Celebrate the victory!
Posted on November 3rd
Cute!! Love the message about Halloween and also the photo of the barfing pumpkin..
Get well. God Bless ..
Catherine
Posted on November 3rd
Hi Steve, we agree with you, and the pumkin is awsome! Very creative, tis the season to be sick. I’m not sick of halloween, just another awesome opportunity to share and have some fun and do weird things. God bless, hope your feeling better
Posted on November 3rd
Meh.
Heard it all before. Legends / hearsay on both sides.
Posted on November 3rd
my parents would never let me use anything as “efficient” as a pillow case for collecting candy…Steve, your message is convicting and gets at the heart of what it means to be in the world yet not of it. Instead of hiding like the Celts, we are supposed to be out there creatively starting wholesome God honoring traditions. Next year, I’m going door to door with something I know all my nieghbors need or use alot: light bulbs, or hand sanitiser, postit notes…help me out if you want…nothing to break the bank, but things practicle and helpful. Stocking stuffer type items, hmmm. Anyway, you get the idea. Who knows, it could catch on.
Posted on November 3rd
I have very similar memories including my Methodist Church who preached oldtime “holiness” hosting Halloween parties with goblins and witches and every kind of crazy costume. It seems to me from what I remember nobody seemed to be confused by all of that. They are pretty special memories of our church enjoying each otthers company and sharing a good time in the Lord. Thanks for writing
Posted on November 3rd
Halloween is my favorite hioliday. I’m a pastor and there is no other time when I get to meet all of my neighbors at once, except when there is a crisis (like a hurricane – we live in South Florida – and I liike hurricanes for the d\same reason!)
Thanks for the post, and I love the vbarfing pumpkin – I’m going to steal that for next year…
Posted on November 3rd
That’s the best pumpkin I’ve ever seen!!
And a great comment on Halloween too. In our neighbourhood here in BC, Halloween is still huge. BC has a tradition of having fireworks and bonfires on Halloween and folks go crazy with decorating their homes and lawns (more than Christmas in many cases). It is great how many people are out and about. Wouldn’t it be great if all the churches in town had their doors open wide and gave out candy/hot chocolate or ran programs like Alf’s church? It would sure help present a different image of the church than the common one!
Posted on November 3rd
Loved the Pumpkin! Great to see other people with wonderful senses of humor!
Posted on November 3rd
Mr. Steve Bell, you wife is beautiful. Ok, I so enjoyed this message, maybe you can write a little song about ‘BARFING THE PUMPKIN.” It would be interesting if that were part of your repertoire of songs that you already sing. I hope that you are well. I would also request that you say a prayer for my nephew and wife Ryan and Michelle and their unborn baby as they were in a truck accident while headed to their parents to await the birth of their baby, which is due in two weeks time. They are currently in BC. Thank you for your prayers and your interest in the human race with your continued singing and telling of stories. From me to you:
Gina Willman
Posted on November 3rd
I guess the pumpkin succumbed to H1N1, yes?
Posted on November 3rd
To those who write about “confronting pagan” errors etc., I would suggest that this is exactly what Steve and others are advocating. And this is what Christian confrontation looks like!
How else to “confront” as a Christian but with love, joy, peace, patience … etc. so as to overwhelm the dark with unlimited light?
Thanks for posting this Steve.
Posted on November 3rd
ahhh, history, yes thank you for hiliting the key points that we all do from time to time forget. I’m a Halloween stinge because I tend to get “Religious” and I need to change my outlook on all things except for what the 3 in one says. Pax works too!
Posted on November 3rd
I just wanted to share my opinion of your note on Halloween. I don’t think that Christian’s are living in fear because of Halloween; I do believe that have just decided to eliminate a holiday that comes purely from pagan origins. The Lord did ask us not to practice the ways of the pagan (holidays, etc.) Sure, halloween was fun, but we didn’t know what it was all about when we were kids. There is nothing wrong with dressing up any other time but I personally made a decision years ago (as a brand new Christian) to refrain from this holiday. I was a new believer (4 months) and the youth of our church held a haunted house. Me and another new Christian went in and realized this did not seem like it was something God would have us do. So over the years, I have veered away from it. My children are grown and do not hold my view but they have to make their own decisions. So we should respect what each one choses to do as God is our judge. As far as the fun of seeing our neighbours in the street, why not have a neighbour hood street party and hold a BBQ. I’m sure the neighbours would love it. Take Care. SS
Posted on November 2nd
Thank you so much for your thoughts and encouragement. I agree that we need to be living our faith in a way that our community can see and understand the love and grace of God come to earth. Bless you.
Posted on November 2nd
Our church, (Whyte Ridge Baptist) here in Winnipeg has had a “Harvest Festival” celebration on Halloween and has done it for years. Our church volunteers come dressed up in costumes–everything from the sublime to the ridiculous–The parents sip on hot chocolate while the children play games by the hour. At each game they pick up coupons that are cashed in for candies and other goodies at the end of the evening. This yeaqr over 300 came into the church and enjoyed the evening and the children hated to leave. We didn’t even try to put Christ into Halloween. Each family was given a children’s set of video games that was Christian in flavor but far from a hard sell. We just wanted the children in our community to have a a safe place to enjoy the evening.
Alf. (Steve’s dad)
Posted on November 2nd
Good word, Steve. Thanks.
Posted on November 2nd
i love st patty … he changed our lives * and your lovely wife is not in isolation concerning the ‘weirdnesses’
Posted on November 2nd
YES! Your post absolutely nails it, Steve. Then again, the Arends also had a spewing pumpkin this year, so we were already in sync …
Seriously, in our neighborhood, Halloween is still the biggest community night of the year and the wrong time for Christians to turn their lights off and get out of dodge. And I’ve been trying to articulate the thought that as believers we should live with open-handed confidence rather than door-bolting fear. You finally said it for me, and “weller” than I could. Thanks my friend,
CA
Posted on November 2nd
Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. (1Co 10:18-21 NIV)
Based on these verses where does Halloween fit into the life of a Christian. Does it mean that “we could be out participating in the wider culture; joyfully, cheerfully, confidently handing out ’sweets’ in the various cultural arenas: politics, arts, education, science, festivals etc. “. Not if there is an appearance of participation with pagan or demonic celebrations. Many of us, including myself, were brought up in a culture that accepted dressing up and going out and collecting candy the thing to do on October 31. Usually because of our age and lack of knowledge we were unaware of the historical basis of Halloween. As we grew older and excepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we discovered that Halloween was based “dark, Celtic pagan festival” and the gist of occasion was evil. The current Halloween has even become an occasion of cult to worship demons. What does the Bible tell us to do?
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
(Eph 4:22-24 NIV)
How are we to be “caring neighborliness befitting the character of the Christ whom we worship”? The previous verses continue with:
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
(Eph 4:25 NIV)
So as Christians we called to “speak truthfully” in love even if the world sees this as being a “defensive, combative spirit we’ve become famous for”. Although the truth maybe the harder thing to do, we must always remember that:
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
(Joh 8:31-32 NIV)
Posted on November 1st
We’ve been doing an outreach to our neighborhood for the last six years of taking the “church to the neighborhood” on Halloween. It’s called TreatStreet and we have bouncers, carnival games, hot chocolate, coffee and popcorn. The neighbors ask us each year if we’ll be doing it again. Light dispenses the darkness.
Posted on November 1st
Thanks so much for your well thought out and generous blog. To NEVER walk in fear of what the culture of the world is a must for those whose eyes are on the cross. Let His love flow to all. Damn the torpedos and pass the chocolate!!
Posted on November 1st
You might want to read this “spin” on the origins of All Hallow’s E’en.
http://www.biblicalhorizons.com/open-book/no-28-concerning-halloween/
Posted on November 1st
With all due respect to Steve, whose music Ihas blessed me immensely, I question whether allowing our kids to trick or treat iaccomplishes the purpose of putting Christ back into Halloween. Where I live, it is considered the highest holy day of the year for Wiccans. Just by participating in any activity, we are giving credence to their day. Just as they won’t acknowledge Christmas, but call it winter solstice, I won’t acknowledge their day in any way. It is not fear that prevents me, but taking a stand against false belief. If anyone comes up with a real way to make jesus known in this celebration, I’m all for it.
Posted on November 1st
This was a great post…thanks. Also, there has been some press about recent studies that have found little to support the idea that candy and apples were ever really tampered with… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poisoned_candy_scare
Thought you might be interested.
Thanks again.
Posted on October 31st
The Hallowe’en after we left a church that preached the message of fear around this holiday, I let my kids go trick or treating (like I did all my growing up years). I prayed over them before they left (still buying into that fear a bit) and sent them off with friends. I told them to look for Jesus and evidence of his presence through the night. My grade 6 son came home and said that he noticed a lot of lonely people in the houses he visited. He said “Mom, they were so happy to see us and I think that a lot of the time they’re just alone in their houses. They liked having kids come visit.” Was Jesus not ABSOLUTELY walking with him in that moment? And is Jesus not TOTALLY calling us to walk out with our neighbours on this night, love them in the midst of this night of total community? Let’s put Jesus back in Hallowe’en!!
Posted on October 31st
Thanks for posting this. It was something I really needed to read. Pax.
Posted on October 31st
I agree with you Steve about the way Halloween used to be — it was so much fun we looked forward to it almost like Christmas. It truly was all in good fun. Today it’s not fun anymore. I didn’t know that about St. Patrick, but I love the inference — we overcome the darkness with the light of Christ’s love AND TRUTH. Without His truth, there can be no love. The love is the “light of the world” part,; the truth is the “salt of the earth” part. Tonight we are in prayer that we be both every single day (salt and light) and move out of our comfort zones. There’s a lost world just outside the door and they need the Jesus we love and adore so much.
God Bless You Steve as you continue to bless us.
Posted on October 31st
Hi Steve,
Thanks for posting this note. My wife and I are relatively new parents and we both grew up with different parental believes. Her’s would not allow her to celebrate it, while mine would. As I’ve grown older I’ve become more aware of the spiritual realm, but I do still have a lot to figure out as to what to teach my son and future kids. Your note certainly has brought a better understanding of the day to me. Thanks Again
Posted on October 31st
Steve, that is a brilliant post. Thank you.
Posted on October 31st
Just as I was thinking about how to articulate some of this, your link to this came up on facebook. Sadly so many Christians are reactive to things in a way that has no basis in fact. Thanks for what you’ve written here…
Posted on October 31st
LOL! Love the vomiting pumpkin…great stuff, Nanci!!!
Thanks for the history of Halloween. I tend to agree with you on many accounts, Steve… I grew up in a catholic home so my brothers and I did always celebrate Halloween…. the hubby, however, grew up in a strict christian home and was taught differently.
But done right, I don’t think christians need to shy or fear away from this event… it can be a great opportunity to express fun loving involvement with our community, neighbor… an opportunity to express Christ’s love even… but, it’s sadly shun upon by the christian church so I’ve been wavering on the fence with thoughts.
I hate how “evil” is celebrated during this month, but again, you made some great points which I totally agree with. It’s a time to shine the light, not hide it away! I always felt christianity was perhaps contradicting the message of Christ to go into the world, by seperating ourselves too much from opportunities like this to shine in the dark.
Years back, during my short period of missionary training, one teaching that always stuck out to me was the message that when going overseas during a mission outreach, to win souls for Christ, you need to befriend the people first, get to know them and their language, work/laugh/love/cry along side them, be apart of their community, gain their trust through time, which may take up to a year or two. You can’t just bulldoze yourself into another’s life (culture) and expect souls/lives to be changed overnight (although there are exceptions), with your beliefs. Turn the volume down and the picture up.
I think this teaching applies here, too. And during social events like this, it’s a great opportunity to laugh alongside and “know” our neighbors beyond a quick hello out to the car.
Things are not like they used to be when we were kids… times have sadly changed, for the worst it seems, but is that because as the days grow darker we who are the light of Christ are shrinking back more, instead of involving ourselves and going into the world? Great thoughts here, Steve.. sorry for my ramblings!!
Posted on October 31st
Great blog, Steve – still has me thinking about where I stand on the issue…
Too bad though halloween is filled with so much glamorizing of evil, horror, and violence.
Btw, your wife’s carving should be enough to scare away any evil spirits!
Posted on October 31st
[...] Bell has written a thoughtful post about Halloween, concluding with this: Personally, it makes me sad that the Church (in part) seems [...]
Posted on October 31st
I agree with your thoughts about the “good old days” when Halloween was fun and you got to visit friends and neighbors. I enjoyed dressing my girls up in costumes when they were little and before there was even a debate about whether it was right or wrong to celebrate Halloween. Being a pastor’s wife in an conservative church, there was some pressure to boycott Halloween. But I am a bit of a rebel and enjoy seeing my neighbors and their kids come to my door and have a short visit when they may not be inclined to do so any other day of the year. It is a good chance to make a connection.
Thanks for your thoughts, Steve.
Posted on October 31st
I think that All Saints Day came about when the church conglomerated the feast days of all the martyrs. When someone lost their life for the faith, the church would often set up a day of remembrance for that martyr, a feast by which to remember them. But there were lots of martyrs, and the calendar was getting mighty full of feast days… (”When do we get to go back to work?” “First Tuesday next month is free!”) So the church conglomerated them, and set the day for the remembrance of all those who had paid with their lives for the gospel on November 1st.
All Hallows Eve serves the same function as Christmas Eve; a preparation for a great celebration of something God has done.
Posted on October 31st
Awesome Steve,
well written…and I love the pumpkin.