Since it’s Halloween week, we thought we’d give you some food for thought and conversation on the subject. About 6 years ago while in college, I participated in a point-counterpoint article concerning whether we ought to observe and celebrate Halloween. I argued a fellow member that we’re better off NOT celebrating it. Please don’t think I’m a stuffed shirt. Here’s my (slightly revised) article.
First off, PLEASE do not think I’m saying to celebrate Halloween is a sin, or that I’m looking down my nose at those who do celebrate it. I am truly not. There’s really nothing morally wrong about dressing up and asking for candy from neighbors, right? Moreover, the Bible says we are free to celebrate holidays as our consciences lead (Rm. 14, Col. 2:16-19). However, all things that are not wrong are not necessarily good or beneficial, we read in 1 Cor. 10:23. The question we as set-apart people are called to ask when seeking to lead thoughtful, deliberate lives to the glory of God is always “Why do we do the things we do?” and I’d like to apply that to the issue of celebrating.
Many holidays are rich in meaning, e.g., Passover (why don’t we really do anything for that?), Resurrection Day (you know, Easter!), the birth of our Savior, Independence Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, our birthdays. These holidays give us an opportunity to remember who we are, where we came from, and why we are here today. They connect us to and remind us of our families - both natural and spiritual - who celebrated these same holidays in generations past. They give us an opportunity to gather with those we love and reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness throughout time. It is good and right that we should remember His mercies and glorify His name in special ways on special days.
Holidays are meaningful because they are days of remembrance. In all the special days listed above, celebrators are remembering what God did and thanking Him for that and all He is doing in their life, family, and country now. To celebrate Halloween apart from its origins - which is how we must celebrate it, given its superstitious heritage - makes it meaningless. And why would we do something meaningless when we can participate in something meaningful and show the world we really are different?
As Christians, we have much to celebrate. October 31, in fact, is an appropriate day to celebrate. It is the day when, in 1517, Martin Luther was used by God to bring about the greatest reform and revival in history by exposing the corruption of the Church. It has shaken the world’s foundation to the core and changed Western civilization for the better. We would not be here without it. This is certainly a reason for celebration, and even (gasp!) fun! The never-ending faithfulness and goodness of our Sovereign God to His people throughout history is not to be forgotten.
So, I’m suggesting some reform–a reform in our deep-seated way of thinking about why we do the things we do, and a reform of October 31. Many Christians already observe Reformation Day (for example, see the Reformation Celebration at our erstwhile pastor’s new church). There can be cookouts and bonfires, hayrides and songs. The good elements of a Halloween celebration - community, family, fun with the kids - are present (heck, they can dress up and eat candy – why not?), but are yet stronger and born of purer motive in light of a purpose that ties us together. Churches gather to talk about the past, present and the future - and God’s steadfast love throughout it all. In celebrating Reformation Day, we are encouraged to learn about the history of the Church, thereby combating our general ignorance of it. We’re encouraged to remember the place from which our forefathers in the faith have come, and to witness God’s hand moving in time and space. It teaches the kids that they are part of something bigger than the neighborhood and more secure than even their own family.
This idea of replacing Halloween observance with Reformation Day observance is not new to the Church, you know. We celebrate both the birth and the resurrection of Christ on days that were originally pagan festivals. Reformation Day actually did occur on October 31! All the more reason to celebrate it then!
We as Christians are a holy people, a set-apart people. We are different from the world and should not conform to its likeness (Rm. 12:2). We are here to point to the Lord in both word and deed. Instead of bowing to cultural tradition, let’s be different and celebrate a day that’s truly meaningful to our spiritual family.
Back to the present. So, who’s wants to celebrate Reformation Day with me? It might be too late for this year, but I think a church-wide party is in order!
October 29th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Great thoughts and well expressed! I’ve often thought we should seize the opportunity to GIVE candy away by taking our kids to children’s hospitals and nursing homes and giving treats to the kids and elderly. There are all kinds of ways to redeem and transform the brokeness of the world without hiding in our houses!
October 29th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
What a great idea!
October 29th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I would be up for visiting the Life Care Center and passing out candy Wed afternoon! Anyone else interested!
October 29th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Good thoughts, Anna, and great idea, Ruthie!! The picture of Evie from last year is so cute - she’s grown so much!!!
October 30th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
A pastor I know and respect recently spoke about the need TO celebrate Halloween, particularly to build and furthur friendships with neighbors. I was convicted as he talked of how Christians usually spend Halloween at church at a fall festival or Reformaiton party with other Christians, while this is a great opportunity to interact with unbelieving neighbors. Ande and I have met and formed many friendships with neighbors by sitting outside our house for a couple hours on Halloween passing out candy and attempting to be intentional with relationships. I’m called to be in the world, not of the world, and I feel this is a highly practical way to do that.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
One more thing: here is a link to a great article re: Halloween’s Christian origins from Ransom Fellowship
http://www.ransomfellowship.org/articledetail.asp?AID=370&B=James%20Jordan&TID=8
October 30th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
I’ve heard the point that Kelly brings up, and I think it’s very valid. I’m just trying to get us to think more about what we do and why. Whatever we do, we’re to be intentional and check our motivations.
October 31st, 2007 at 9:43 pm
You know, I had great opposition to celebrating Halloween when Natalie was a baby. I did lots of reading and research about the subject. I was so afraid that we would be endorsing evil and didn’t want to have any association with it at all.
Well, the next year, I went back and forth on the issue once again. We talked about it and decided that it really is a good way to meet the neighbors, as Kelly was sharing. So, this has been our third year. And even tonight we had conversations with probably 5 households and learned new faces at the rest.
This year Natalie has become more aware of the evil things, but I have been explaining to her that we have made a choice not to glorify scary things or evil. And that God would not want for us to make it look fun. etc.
I feel good about our decision and agree with Anna that it is good to think about it and be intentional.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:01 am
Rob and I sat outside tonight passing out candy to the kids. And we talked about how this is one of the few times we really get to interact with our neighbors. Sadly, most of our neighbors stay inside most of the year.
When I was in 3rd grade my parents decided we weren’t going to celebrate Halloween anymore and go to church events instead. Since then I’ve been very against anything Halloween…until we bought a house.
I have a lot of fun giving candy to the kids because lets face it, they are just so cute in their little costumes.
However, I’m still aware of the pagan roots of Halloween and because of that I’ll never dress up as anything evil or scare the kids. I don’t celebrate it either.
But is handing out candy celebrating Halloween?
November 1st, 2007 at 12:27 pm
I think some Christians don’t want to have anything to do with Halloween (including the entirely innocuous practice of giving out candy), but I don’t buy into that at all. Since the way we celebrate Halloween these days just means we dress up, go to non-wild parties, and trick-or-treat, it’s really not an issue (in my mind). It’s a good opportunity to talk about the reality of the spiritual world, both good and evil.
In thinking about this more and in reading Mike O’s post about Halloween, I’ve discovered that not having grown up celebrating Reformation Day or participating in a church-sponsored Halloween alternative, I actually want one. You see, our neighborhood doesn’t celebrate Halloween, so it’s not fun for us. And I don’t see the point in taking Evie elsewhere to trick or treat since we wouldn’t have opportunity to see those people again.
So, please: just give me something fun AND meaningful to do! I realize perhaps the obvious answer is to host a party myself, but let’s be honest: I’m too lazy. Maybe someday…