Halloween
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 04 Nov 2007 in From Steve's Study ::
There’s been a lot of talk this week about Halloween. In the midst of a society that seems to be becoming more and more involved in it, many have raised concerns about the origins and content of the festival & been asking whether it is appropriate for Christians to be involved in it. Is it just some harmless fun as some have suggested? Is there something decidedly sinister about it? Should Christians happily get involved in just another community event, or should we make a stand to point people to the truth? Is it appropriate (or even safe) for our children to walk up to complete strangers and demand lollies (because they never get enough of them!) or else they will perform some prank on them?
Before we decide, we need to consider its origins. Halloween actually finds its beginnings in the ancient pagan calendar as the “Fire Festival” that marked the division between Summer and Winter. It was celebrated by the Druid priests in Britain and France. On this night, it was believed that the link between the present world and the “world beyond” was pierced and that all the creatures of the other world (witches, demons & hobgoblins, as well as the souls of the dead) were released en masse to harass the living. To protect themselves the Druids would offer sacrifices & dress up as witches and devils etc, & the people would leave out plates of “treats” to placate the evil hordes.
In direct response to this, the early Christian church moved a celebration called “All Saints Day” (where they gave thanks for the lives of the Saints who had died and gone to be with God) to November 1, making October 31st “All Hallows’ Eve” (Hallows = Saints) or “Hallowe’en”. It was a move designed to use the opportunity provided by the pagan festival as an evangelistic tool for the spread of the gospel.
So, rather than come out with a blanket condemnation of anyone or anything that is connected with Halloween, or on the other hand, thoughtlessly involve ourselves in this ancient pagan festival, perhaps we could take a leaf out of those early Christians’ book… is there a way we can use Halloween as an opportunity for the gospel? They made a stand, not simply by stopping what was happening, but by providing a better, more positive alternative. Could we somehow use this time of year to present the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life to our neighbours and friends? Can we demonstrate Christian kindness and generosity, rather than demands for sweets? Is there something that we as a church can do to show that all evil has been defeated by Christ’s death on the cross and that now there is no need to fear? For there is certainly great cause to rejoice at the eternal life that is now open to all of us.
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