“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”  Ephesians 5:15-16

Halloween, the time of year when the days get shorter, the air is crisper, children don costumes of every type and dream about receiving a bag of candy.   Christians have mixed feelings about the celebration of Halloween.  Many refuse to participate because of its pagan origins and its dark, ghoulish images.  Other Christians choose to see it as an opportunity.  Rather than separate completely from the activities, we might give gospel tracts along with a generous helping of candy and take the opportunity to witness for Christ.

The name “Halloween” comes from the All Saints Day celebration of the early church, a day set aside to honor the martyrs through the ages.  All Hallows Eve, the evening before All Saints Day on November 1, began the time of remembrance.  “All Hallows Eve” eventually became “Halloween.”  As Christianity moved through Europe, it collided with native pagan customs.  The established church attempted to deal with the problem by combining Christian holidays with pagan festivals, in fact, “Christianizing” a pagan ritual—the ritual was still pagan, but mixed with Christian symbolism.  All Saints Eve became the original Halloween alternative!

The Celtic people of Europe and Britain were pagan Druids whose holidays marked the changing seasons.  In October, life slowed down, longer nights brought darkness, harvesting and death of the crops.  The Celts believed for one night the spirits of the dead would walk among the living, thus haunting the earth.

In that dark, superstitious world, God mercifully shined the light of the gospel.  New Christians believing the truth of God’s Word, denounced their former life and believed, “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” 1 John 4:4.  God has forever “disarmed principalities and powers” through the cross of Christ and “made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them through Christ.” Colossians 2:15. 

So, how should Christians respond?  Certainly not like pagans, but as people enlightened by the truth of God’s Word.  Evil spirits are no more active on Halloween than another day.  Satan is always on the prowl, “seeking whom he many devour.”

Christians can respond with wisdom, being wise stewards of what God has given them, and protect their families.  Parents can keep children well-supervised with other alternatives such as Harvest parties or Reformation Festivals.  Kids wear fun costumes with a particular theme, book characters, historical characters, Reformation or Bible heroes.   We as believers can respond with gospel compassion.  The Christ-rejecting world lives in fear of death, the experience of death and what comes after.  We have the answer, the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Some churches leave the church building and take acts of mercy into the community, “treating” needy families with food baskets, gift cards and “making the most of every opportunity.” One Halloween, our prayer group walked the neighborhood asking our neighbors if they had prayer requests.  Not one person refused!  Christian participation in Halloween is a matter of conscience before God.  There is nothing inherently evil about candy, costumes, or trick-or-treating in the neighborhood as long as our behavior honors Christ.

Your friend, Jean