Well, it seems it’s that time of year again. When Facebook and social media begins to be flooded with posts about the evils of Halloween and it’s celebration of it by Christians. Let me start by saying that I’m not a big fan of the holiday. This holiday seems to be getting darker and darker every year. The average Halloween-goer seems to be gravitating away from dressing up as pirates and superheroes and we see more and more violent and grotesque, demonic looking costumes. Now before someone accuses me of missing the point, I know both the roots and history of Halloween. It indeed is rooted in paganism. There is nothing Christian about Halloween, but yet as a Christian I choose to participate (not celebrate) in it. I know some of you, your blood pressure is going up as I made that last statement, but before you write me off as a lesser Christian, please let me explain why.
It’s really quite simple. I refuse to give the devil any day of the year, let alone Halloween. I have heard so many Christians brag about huddling up in their house with the lights off while their friends and neighbors in their community come to their door step. Ask yourself the following questions:
If you were having a birthday party for your child and all of the guests came and none of them participated in giving your child a gift or singing happy birthday, but instead refocused everything toward another child who’s birthday it wasn’t, would you say they celebrated your child’s birthday? No,I believe the same can be true of Halloween. This is the one time of year where people come to your doorstep and you are invited to theirs. If we as Christians do not use this and refocus it for Christ then the devil has gotten away with having a day and by simply doing nothing we have allowed this to take place.
How can we refocus Halloween and use it to celebrate Christ? Here are some suggestions.
1. Do you look more like Christ by being inhospitable to your neighbors and refusing to come to the door when they knock or yell “trick or treat” or do you look like Him more by simply opening the door, smiling, introducing yourself and giving their kids some candy or prizes and inviting them to your small group, Sunday school, bible study or church and handing them a tract with your contact info, sharing the love of Jesus?
2. I have small children who I take trick or treating for the following purpose. After receiving their treat, I have trained mine to say, “Now, I have a gift for you.” Then, they hand the person a tract. I have not had one person refuse to take it from my 4 year old. We want to train our kids to use every opportunity for Jesus even in dark places.
3. Organize a church-sponsored trunk or treat for the community, then preach, preach, preach to them about the glorious light of the gospel that shines through the darkness of their own hearts.
My point is this, there are many reasons for Christians not to like Halloween, but by doing nothing you have given recognition and credence to Satan and allowed him to claim his day. After all, are we not called to take the light to even the darkest places? Paul stood on Mars Hill, a place of satanic worship, and preached the gospel. He did not avoid that place because of it’s wickedness, he used it and refocused it by referring to the altar to the unknown god. Let’s let Christ’s love and light shine through this dark holiday and use it for the Glory of God and claim this day for Christ.
~Brett~
His Relentless Pursuit 
Well-stated, especially the last paragraph. 🙂 Your point is excellent!
Although, the way we celebrate Halloween is not like the Gaelic tradition at all and is said to be rooted in Christian “lore.” The jack-o-lantern, for one, is based on an Irish Christian story involving Jack, Satan, and a turnip and the act of trick-or-treating has been said to be rooted in such practices as “souling.” Although none of these are Biblical practices, they are considered by historians as “Christian” or “Catholicized” traditions.
The Samhain in practice is a recognition of death, which may involve a gathering and chanting to various deities. Practitioners publicly reflect on the ends of their year, the deaths of a chapter in their lives.
Isn't it strange to think that the Hallowe'en we know was actually morphed by people who connected themselves to the church? In summation, it is a type of memorial day, but a day in which both 16th century Irish and Roman Catholics/Christians, as a merger with their regional beliefs, decided to ward off rogue spirits (human or non-human) wearing disguises and eating cakes door-to-door to free souls from Purgatory.
I'm encouraged to know you are claiming Halloween to share the Gospel, which is an upgrade from how other earlier believers participated in the day of the dead. 🙂 However, I am choosing for myself and my family to not participate so as not to draw attention or magnify it in any way. For me and my house, it opens doors to temptations we would be better off fleeing, because that is the stage we are in as believers. Just as I am careful about what shows I let my daughter watch, the inappropriate attire and behavior in my city is not something I want her to be tempted by, even so far as thinking it is “cool” or “good” or “that's what I should be,” especially at so young and malleable an age.
Thank you for the ripe opportunity to dicuss an important matter. =D
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Thank you, your comment is much appreciated both for the history and perspective it brings to this discussion. I too am a parent so I can definitely understand your concerns with it.
I have read many statements in regards to Halloween starting with “How can any Christian…” My intention was not to do to the same and suggest that every “good Christian” will participate in the ways that I suggested, but rather to share some perspective that may tone down the judgments on one another and promote unity in Christ while bridging this issue of Halloween.
~ Brett~
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