Tonight children from all around your city will descend upon your street block, knock on your door and flat out demand that you give them sweets.
How weird is that?
Yes, it is time for Halloween once again.
As the dusk settles in and the street lights begin to burn, parents will parade their children up and down the avenues and lanes of their city, dressed like devils, witches, fairies, athletes, cartoon figures, Rubix Cubes, princesses, and anything else our minds can dream up.
Question of the day: Are you ready for them?
Most people have their opinions about Halloween…and I have mine as well.
Christians tend to be very opinionated when it comes to this holiday because it is one of the “darker” holidays that we sinners tend to celebrate (or not celebrate, that is). But I don’t care, really. Any day that perfectly good strangers are willing to load up my children’s bags with bubble gum, caramel goodies, and milk chocolate is a good day in my book!
What about you? Are you into Halloween or not?
There are a few leading theories as to how Halloween came about. We can’t be totally certain, but there are some pretty good theories out there, and one of them is likely to be the true one. But again, I just don’t really care all that much. What it may have meant four centuries ago it surely doesn’t mean today.
As for my family, we enjoy it. My kids get excited about it. And I look forward to snagging all the Reese’s buttercups that my kids will so diligently collect this evening.
Mmmmmm, I can almost taste them now.
Whether you plan to celebrate Halloween or not, here are 7 reasons why maybe you should consider doing it.
- You get to talk to your children. Halloween gives you another great opportunity to speak with your children about things like Good vs. Evil. You can explain to your children why some people feel it is acceptable to dress up like demons and why, for example, you do not. Frankly, any chance to discuss the gospel with your children is always a great thing.
- Exercise. It’s just plan good to exercise, didn’t you know that? Look, I know it’s not a “spiritual” reason, but any reason we can get a chance to walk a few miles as a family is a good thing. Ask anyone with a desk job who sits all day and they’ll probably agree with you about that. It’s challenging just setting aside time to exercise and, if you’re getting ready to consume about 2,000 calories worth of sugar anyway, why not exercise a bit beforehand?
- Socialize with those around you. You’ll get a great chance to meet your neighbors. Quick—how many of your neighbors have you actually met? That few, huh? Of those you’ve met, how many of their names do you remember? You see, Halloween is a great chance to get to know some of your neighbors.
- Evangelism. Did you know that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Halloween? Nope. They won’t even answer the door if you show up on their porch. They might even put a note out front about why they don’t. But the JW’s are pretty active on most other Saturday afternoons. How often do you get sinners showing up at your door asking for Tricks or Treats? Wow, what an opportunity! Give that kid a sucker and a gospel tract and send him on his way. Lord willing, their parents will read it later as they’re mooching their kids’ candy.
- Chocolate. Halloween has a way of replenishing our snack cabinet for a few months. And yes, we have an entire snack cabinet!
- Once a year. Halloween only comes around once every 365 days. One lady relayed to me that it is one of her least favorite days of the year. Oh well. Good thing it only lasts a few hours. Grin and bear it for the glory of God. And that leads me to the last reason you should consider celebrating Halloween.
- Glorify God. How can God be honored and glorified through you and your family this Halloween? What if, instead of saying trick or treat, you had your children say something like, “Good evening, fine sir! Thank you for being so gracious as to letting us children come to your most beautiful house. God has given us life, health, and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. I’ll accept your candy, but I’m really just excited to meet you and tell you about my God.” Sound a bit far fetched? Well then, how about this: When you open the door and see those groups of little children dressed like devils, witches, and what-not, you say something like, “Thanks for stopping by tonight, kids. Here’s a candy bar and a $1,000,000 gospel tract for each of you. Be safe, have fun, and may the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be shed in your hearts, both now and into eternity. Good night!”
How about you? Will you be celebrating Halloween tonight? Why or why not? Leave a comment below, thanks!
Halloween as we know it in America came about in the 20th century. I am an information junkie and I research a lot of stuff and this is one of the things I researched a while back.
Thanks!…you info junkie!
I like this post, Charles. I recently responded to a post from someone sharing the opposite view that Christians shouldn’t celebrate Halloween because it is the day of Satan worshiping. While I do understand that there are evil things that happen, I choose to see it differently. In our neighborhood, it is the one day when everyone is out. You meet people and get to show love and get to know them. I think we can always find the good in things and need to learn to not be so afraid of everything. Our Pastor always stresses that he wants us to be known for what we are for rather than what we are against. Too many Christians make it very well known what they are against. But the world needs to see that we are for Loving God and Loving people. Period.
That’s a mature perspective, Tammy. There is evil happening all around us on every day of the year. We need to be loving and “reaching out” Christians every day of the year, 24/7.
I agree. Let’s focus on the do’s of the Bible and not so much to “don’t’s”
From my research halloween was a day set aside in honour and remembrance of the matyrs of Christ in the first century. It was also called All Saints day. The evening preceeding this day was called All Hallow Eve. Which latter in the fourth century became Halloween or Holy Evening. But during the middle Ages the custom of roamimg and begging for the poor arose along with satanic mischief which totally perverted the original intent of the day.