Another Halloween and Reformation Day approaches. It was October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his grievances with the Church to the doors of All Saints’ Church in Wittenburg, Germany - an act we now consider to have sparked the Protestant Reformation. The motto of the Reformation is “Semper Reformanda,” which means “always reforming,” The spirit of the Reformation is the thought that the Church should always be willing to re-examine and change our beliefs, should the Lord open our eyes thusly, and not get bogged down in tradition for tradition’s sake, not knowing why we believe the things we do.

It is in this spirit of “semper reformanda” that I have come to my current thought on the issue of Halloween. Last year, I posted an article I’d written many years ago on why perhaps we shouldn’t celebrate Halloween. This year, however, we came across this short blog post, which gives some background on All Saints (and All Hallows) Day and Eve as well as Reformation Day, and which has given us some food for thought.

One is the points is that these days have belonged to the Christian Church for many centuries and we should act like it, celebrating them in various ways, including with costumes and “boatloads of candy.” He suggests only that we not dress up as “members of the other team - witches, ghosts, devils, imps, or congressmen.” A comment asks if the blogger has any thoughts on the tradition of dressing up as these things is to mock the devil instead of join forces with him, and I’m curious about that, too, though I’ve not looked into it. Clearly, most people in our culture who do dress up as bloodied zombies (think Halloween Horror Nights or their billboards, if you’ve never been) aren’t mocking the devil, but maybe a little child of God who dresses up as a devil with spiky tail and pointy red horns could be. Maybe. Any thoughts on that?

Another suggestion is that we believers ought to give more candy than our unbelieving neighbors, “as opposed to a glare and/or a tract about the fires of hell.” As one of the comments points out, there’s probably nothing wrong with giving a bunch of candy in addition to a tract, but you get the idea.

I don’t take this little blog post as my authority on all things Halloween, but it’s given me something to consider. What do you think about Halloween?  Has your view changed over time?

In 1776, John Adams declared, “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.” (from Wikipedia; quote written in a letter to Abigail Adams)

As we prepare for Resurrection morn, I reflect on the unparalleled liberty the Resurrection brings. Without the Resurrection, we have no freedom. We are slaves to our sin, bound to this world, and subject to the devil’s schemes. We are lost and without hope.

In the Resurrection, we are given a hope and a future. It is here that Christ has not only proven his power over sin in living a perfect, righteous life, but now conquers even death. He proves to be the worthy sacrifice for a righteous God; the last sacrifice, the perfect Lamb of God.

What is beyond amazing is that, because of God’s great mercy, Christ’s righteousness is given to us! We now, like Christ, can have power over sin and freedom from the sting of death. One of my favorite songs declares this message:

Marvelous Light-”Sin has lost its power, death has lost its sting, from the grave You’ve risen victoriously!”

The problem is, we don’t always recognize this truth in our lives. I know that I don’t. I many times feel slave to my secret sins of pride, jealousy, idolatry, and apathy. I do not run to Christ in my sin, or let the Scriptures remind me that I have the power of Christ in me!

Romans 6:6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

This Easter, and everyday, I want to not only remember, but live, in the power of the Resurrection, which brings freedom to me, a former captive.

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Some of you know Judy Nelson. If you don’t, she’s a gifted writer and a fellow sister. In preparation for Easter, read her touching words in Remembering the Story.

Are you wearing green today?

While I don’t know much about St. Patrick and couldn’t find much about him online either, I did read that today is believed to be the day of his death. He is also the patron saint of Ireland and it appears that he was active as a missionary in Ireland during the second half of the fifth century.

By the way, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland is not celebrated in the same manner as we American’s celebrate. My Irish friend told me that once.