I never know how to respond at this time of year when I get asked by an aquantance or store caashier if I am ready for Halloween. Ready for Halloween? really? It actually blows my mind what a huge deal it is. i have read it is second to Christmas..To CHRISTMAS!!!
Let me tell you my thoughts on that.
First of all it just basically creeps me out. Ghosts, goblins, body parts, blood and guts for aisles and asiles of my favorite drug store or walmart...I mean really. How appealing is that? Roman has started to say "that scary" when we pass by something to do with halloween. I always intentionally avoid those places in the store. It gives me the hibbie jibbees...and for good reason.
I often wonder if people even know what they are "celebrating" or are they just caught up in the ignorance of costumes and candy. There are many different versions of where hlloween originated but most historical accounts are consistant with this:
Halloween culture can be traced back to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. Roots lay in the feast of Samhain, which was annually on October 31st to honor the dead.
Samhain signifies "summers end" or November. Samhain was a harvest festival with huge sacred bonfires, marking the end of the Celtic year and beginning of a new one. Many of the practices involved in this celebration were fed on superstition.
The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next years crops would be plentiful. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating.
They often dressed in costumes consiting of animal heads and fur.so next time you dress your child for this "holiday" just know where it originated.
As Chrisitians I believe we have a whole different responsibility this time of year. I don't believe its about being legalistic. I just know what the bible teaches, what God loves and what he hates, and what we are called to. The Apostle Paul teaches us that we (as followers of Christ) are to avoid the very APPEREANCE of evil. We are to be set apart and different from the world. Of course, it would be fun to dress our kids in cute costumes (lions as opposed to witches) and take them to get candy...but then we are no different from the world. I personally dont believe you can participate and not celebrate.
For those of us who are in Christ, we are able to discern and learn the heart of God. To love what HE loves and hate what HE hates. I drive around and see houses decorated with grave stones and demonic loooking creatures or haunted houses that are supposed to be fun and I think..nothing Godly lives there. But it sure does look like a great breeding ground for the demonic. Nothing of Gods nature is attracted to dark and evil places for in HIM there is no darkness.
So in conclusion I despise Halloween and all that is associated with it. I can't wait for it to be over..i just want it to go away!!
Some Scriptures:
Proverbs 11:19 Take your stand with God's loyal community and live, or chase after phantoms of evil and die
Let me tell you my thoughts on that.
First of all it just basically creeps me out. Ghosts, goblins, body parts, blood and guts for aisles and asiles of my favorite drug store or walmart...I mean really. How appealing is that? Roman has started to say "that scary" when we pass by something to do with halloween. I always intentionally avoid those places in the store. It gives me the hibbie jibbees...and for good reason.
I often wonder if people even know what they are "celebrating" or are they just caught up in the ignorance of costumes and candy. There are many different versions of where hlloween originated but most historical accounts are consistant with this:
Halloween culture can be traced back to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. Roots lay in the feast of Samhain, which was annually on October 31st to honor the dead.
Samhain signifies "summers end" or November. Samhain was a harvest festival with huge sacred bonfires, marking the end of the Celtic year and beginning of a new one. Many of the practices involved in this celebration were fed on superstition.
The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next years crops would be plentiful. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating.
They often dressed in costumes consiting of animal heads and fur.so next time you dress your child for this "holiday" just know where it originated.
As Chrisitians I believe we have a whole different responsibility this time of year. I don't believe its about being legalistic. I just know what the bible teaches, what God loves and what he hates, and what we are called to. The Apostle Paul teaches us that we (as followers of Christ) are to avoid the very APPEREANCE of evil. We are to be set apart and different from the world. Of course, it would be fun to dress our kids in cute costumes (lions as opposed to witches) and take them to get candy...but then we are no different from the world. I personally dont believe you can participate and not celebrate.
For those of us who are in Christ, we are able to discern and learn the heart of God. To love what HE loves and hate what HE hates. I drive around and see houses decorated with grave stones and demonic loooking creatures or haunted houses that are supposed to be fun and I think..nothing Godly lives there. But it sure does look like a great breeding ground for the demonic. Nothing of Gods nature is attracted to dark and evil places for in HIM there is no darkness.
So in conclusion I despise Halloween and all that is associated with it. I can't wait for it to be over..i just want it to go away!!
Some Scriptures:
Proverbs 11:19 Take your stand with God's loyal community and live, or chase after phantoms of evil and die
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance 1 peter 1:14
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11
Phillipians 1: 27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have
Phillipians 4: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
7 comments:
AMEN!! I was just talking to Jason about that the other day! It is surprising how much people get into Halloween...I mean seems like people decorate more for Halloween than Christmas! THAT'S CRAZY!!
Yes and Amen!!! We are so on the same page - no pun intended...
I am SOOOOO glad you posted this. Our family is the same, and it just floors me how many people that go to our church participate in this day! There's even a church in our town that has a "harvest festival" that is on Halloween night! URGH!
Be IN not OF the world PEOPLE!!!
Again, thanks for writing this. I pray you have opened up some eyes!
Whew! We believe the same and are teaching the boys the same thing. We tell them it doesn't make God happy so we don't do it. Tradd is all about telling others about how bad it is. Also, feel very offended by the horror in our favorite stores and Tradd hides his face! I really get condemned sometimes by other Christians so it's nice to know others know the truth too!!
What floors we with the whole thing is when a Christian asks me "what are your kids dressing up as for Halloween?" I nicely answer "we don't celebrate Halloween." Then comes the kicker - they ask "Why Not?" Lately I just look at them and say "Why would I?"
I love your heart for God and your passion for following Him. You are an awesome family and I know God will bless you all your days!
well I try to be a good Christian,,,but in your eyes I guess I am evil. and it sounds like the Kinney family agrees with you. Because I was born on Halloween and do have dressing up and I also do a very nice Halloween diaplay. You can ask the Kinney family he has seen it Mr kinney. Because I am his uncle. God hasn't put me on this earth and given me the talents I have to create the display for the children enjoyment, and he hasnt struck me down for doing it either. So please feel free to bring your children to my Halloween yard for some fun and treats. God and I will love you for it. UNCLE JIM
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