This week I've seen so many Facebook posts that have to do with why Christians should or shouldn't participate in Halloween; things to do with Halloween candy; and what costumes people will be wearing to go trick-or-treating, to a party, or to a church harvest festival. I wanted to add my perspective to this. Please keep in mind that this post is not intended to condemn anyone who chooses to participate in any way with Halloween; and the same goes for those who choose to treat this as any other night and have nothing to do with the holiday.
I remember going trick-or-treating with my sister, mom, and dad a few times when I was little. It was so much fun getting dressed up, having Mom help with our costumes and paint our faces, and walking around a neighborhood or two as a family! I best remember the year Dad dressed up as Noah, pulling our
Mom and Dad also took us to our churches' fall festivals, which were even more fun because we got to play games and be around a whole bunch of familiar faces. When we lived in Illinois, our church celebrated Reformation Day on October 31st, so everyone dressed in period garb. Of course we girls were more than happy to be princesses!
After the Reformation celebration experience, we moved overseas where Halloween isn't celebrated (although Carnevale is similar, it's celebrated at a different date). So we did trunk-or-treat on base once or twice - I only remember the year I dressed up as Nancy Drew. Back stateside, we celebrated with our AWANA group then here in Colorado, with Chaela's TKD dojang.
Last year, I went caroling instead of trick-or-treating (it was a sort of reverse trick-or-treat experience). That was the most uniquely spent
Halloween night, and while it was unusual, I had a blast! You can read more about it in the link above.
Needless to say, I've had a pretty varied experience as far as activities on the night of October 31st. Today, I am a grown-up who still loves playing dress-up whenever I get an excuse. I am someone who likes candy, caramel apples, and pumpkin bread a little too much. This year I'm not going out (not even to Chipotle for their wonderful "wear a costume and get a $3 burrito deal!) because I have a lot of reading to do. But I am absolutely looking forward to meeting my neighbors as they bring their kids around door to door for candy, showing off their cool costumes.
Candy and costumes. Is that the current foundation for tonight's festivities?
It would appear that the answer is yes. At least, that sure is what it looks like for the most part. Harmless enough, right? Unfortunately, evil has a way of creeping in where it shouldn't be, and bounding in where it's openly welcomed. And regardless of Halloween's origins being good or evil, it seems there has always been a connection with death. Is this a celebration of the dead, death, and all things dark; or is this a celebration that death has been defeated for those whose life and death have been handed over to the Conqueror of death? Granted, for some - perhaps for many - this is just a night to go along with what everyone else is doing.
If only it were that easy for Christians! We are not supposed to be lazy in anything we do, or to simply go with the flow of everyone else's lives. It does sadden me, though, that those who do think this day and its implications through often end up at the throats of those who think differently.
One blog I read this week (linked through Facebook) put things in a way I appreciated more than anything else I've read yet on this subject. (Read here.) While I may not agree with the writer 100%, I appreciate his input and perspective.
Whatever you choose to do tonight or any Halloween night, I hope that your choices are rooted in your convictions. And whatever your convictions are, please be gracious toward others who think and act differently. (The fact that you aren't fighting with them does not imply that you agree with them!) And I urge you to use tonight to become better acquainted with your neighbors and friends. And if you can, use tonight as a prime opportunity to be a light in the darkness by how you choose to dress, speak, and act.
