Our Halloween View

I remember when I was young, asking what Halloween was and wondering what we were celebrating.  The atmosphere struck me as strange even at probably 8 years old.  Whole neighborhoods were decorated in dark and gloom and had an evil essence about them.  The answer I received was an unsure one but why would it have been questioned anyway?  It was celebrated by our entire community and had been celebrated all our lives as a day to dress up and get candy. 

When I married my husband, I remember going to work one day together in October and driving through a highly Halloween decorated community.  I mentioned to my husband that I thought Halloween was such a strange holiday and I didn't understand what it was.  He explained to me a little bit about what he learned the history to be.  This was the first time I had ever heard Halloween painted in a dark light but it all made sense to me then.  I began researching it and have had nothing to do with the day since that time.

My son is 5.  People may think we are depriving him of just a really fun day to spend with community.  I find it to be more complex than that.  The interesting thing is, he sees it as a dark and scary day.  He does not like how all the houses are decorated.  I would have to talk him into Halloween if we were going to partake.  I'm not saying he wouldn't have fun after starting if he were assured by us it's ok but he would need some coercing to get him to go up to a door with jackolanterns, spider webs, and ghosts on the porch.

So what explanation have I given my son about this day that our church program was canceled and all his friends are talking about their costumes and trick or treating?  I have told him that we do not think we would be glorifying God by participating in this day.  I explained what the people believed who started this holiday and he has not questioned it at all that we do not celebrate.  The bigger problem is how to answer the questions of why others who are our Christian family are celebrating. 

Following is an explanation of the history of Halloween.  There are many more out there that are more detailed, I just chose one that had the basics in it and presented facts opposed to opinions.  Be advised, if you do not want to be convicted or have a struggle over the matter, don't learn of the day's history http://www.halloweenhistory.org/

Now, if you don't know what the day stands for and you're just going along in good fun, perhaps that's ok with God, I honestly don't know and don't choose to judge or condemn anyone out there who particpates in the day.  As for me and my house, we try to live our life with purpose.  We want to honor and glorify God in all that we do and we try to see a big picture of who we are serving with our actions.