Do you "do" Halloween?
I had to stifle a laugh when I was asked this question at AWANA last week. It just came across as funny to me at the time. But, I fully understood the deeper message written in the simple question.
Halloween is a tough holiday for Christian families.
There are so many ways to have fun. Kids love candy and dressing up in costumes. Many Americanized Halloween traditions involve kid-friendly activities.
But, historically, Halloween is a dark, pagan holiday. Its roots are not kid-friendly.
Sincere Christians are divided on how to handle Halloween. I understand their struggle. Is it Ok to participate in the fun? Or should we be turning away from the evil-rooted holiday entirely? I have heard excellent, intelligent, Biblical teachings on this topic, which landed across the spectrum. I appreciate the churches who hold community outreaches on Halloween...for the safety of the children...and also because of the way that they shine the love of Christ on such a dark date. I completely respect the differing decisions my friends have made for their own families on this subject. I certainly do not have the answer.
A few years ago, I really struggled with what to teach my own children about Halloween, and how to participate...or not. I want to live a life that is honoring to God. So, of course, I do not want to celebrate evil.
All of the Halloween traditions I experienced as a child centered on the kid-friendly activities. To denounce that for my own children, seemed to only punish the children. Adults don't care if we miss getting to dress up, go to parties, or receive candy that day. How do I explain to my own children that Halloween is such an evil holiday, when all they see are pumpkins and candy?
I did not have the answers. So, I decided to just start with honesty.
When Jersey #1 was 6 years old, and Jersey #2 was 5, I explained to them that Halloween was not a Christian holiday. I told them about some of the traditions I enjoyed as a kid (which were some of the same they had enjoyed in previous years). I explained some of the darker traditions that they had not experienced, and some of the original history behind Halloween. Jersey #1 listened intently to all that I was saying. Then, in a single sentence, she summed up what became our family's approach to Halloween...
"Mom, we don't worship those evil things. We are just a family who likes candy."
Now, why didn't I think of that? Things are so much clearer through the eyes of a child. Jersey #1 boldly shared her new Halloween knowledge with total strangers. While waiting for an oil change for our vehicle, she informed a man that Halloween was not a Christian holiday. This man...who obviously knew exactly what she was saying...did not skip a beat. He answered her frankly, "No, it is not. But, you can still do fun things that are not evil." She smiled in return and said, "Yes, like eating a lot of candy."
Thanks to that wise, sweet 6-year old, I am now at peace with how our family handles Halloween.
We certainly "do" Halloween...
My goal is to give my children the knowledge that God's ways are better than what the rest of the world has to offer.
We do not live in darkness on Halloween.
We buy pumpkins from fundraisers that support Christian ministries, taking the time to discuss what each ministry is doing for the community...
I had to stifle a laugh when I was asked this question at AWANA last week. It just came across as funny to me at the time. But, I fully understood the deeper message written in the simple question.
Halloween is a tough holiday for Christian families.
There are so many ways to have fun. Kids love candy and dressing up in costumes. Many Americanized Halloween traditions involve kid-friendly activities.
But, historically, Halloween is a dark, pagan holiday. Its roots are not kid-friendly.
Sincere Christians are divided on how to handle Halloween. I understand their struggle. Is it Ok to participate in the fun? Or should we be turning away from the evil-rooted holiday entirely? I have heard excellent, intelligent, Biblical teachings on this topic, which landed across the spectrum. I appreciate the churches who hold community outreaches on Halloween...for the safety of the children...and also because of the way that they shine the love of Christ on such a dark date. I completely respect the differing decisions my friends have made for their own families on this subject. I certainly do not have the answer.
A few years ago, I really struggled with what to teach my own children about Halloween, and how to participate...or not. I want to live a life that is honoring to God. So, of course, I do not want to celebrate evil.
All of the Halloween traditions I experienced as a child centered on the kid-friendly activities. To denounce that for my own children, seemed to only punish the children. Adults don't care if we miss getting to dress up, go to parties, or receive candy that day. How do I explain to my own children that Halloween is such an evil holiday, when all they see are pumpkins and candy?
I did not have the answers. So, I decided to just start with honesty.
When Jersey #1 was 6 years old, and Jersey #2 was 5, I explained to them that Halloween was not a Christian holiday. I told them about some of the traditions I enjoyed as a kid (which were some of the same they had enjoyed in previous years). I explained some of the darker traditions that they had not experienced, and some of the original history behind Halloween. Jersey #1 listened intently to all that I was saying. Then, in a single sentence, she summed up what became our family's approach to Halloween...
"Mom, we don't worship those evil things. We are just a family who likes candy."
Now, why didn't I think of that? Things are so much clearer through the eyes of a child. Jersey #1 boldly shared her new Halloween knowledge with total strangers. While waiting for an oil change for our vehicle, she informed a man that Halloween was not a Christian holiday. This man...who obviously knew exactly what she was saying...did not skip a beat. He answered her frankly, "No, it is not. But, you can still do fun things that are not evil." She smiled in return and said, "Yes, like eating a lot of candy."
Thanks to that wise, sweet 6-year old, I am now at peace with how our family handles Halloween.
We certainly "do" Halloween...
My goal is to give my children the knowledge that God's ways are better than what the rest of the world has to offer.
We do not live in darkness on Halloween.
We buy pumpkins from fundraisers that support Christian ministries, taking the time to discuss what each ministry is doing for the community...
We spend time together as a family, decorating and carving pumpkins, because time together is so important to build healthy, strong relationships...
(there is even a nice lesson about how we are like a pumpkin: God picks us up, cleans out our sins, and sets us up to shine light into the world)
(there is even a nice lesson about how we are like a pumpkin: God picks us up, cleans out our sins, and sets us up to shine light into the world)
This year, we delivered jack-o-lantern pizzas to some elderly folks in our church, to bring them a meal and check on their health and well-being...
The kids dressed up in bright, fun costumes and went to a trunk-or-treat carnival event at a nearby church. They were able to dress up, play games, eat candy, and enjoy fellowship with other Christians in our community...
In the end, what I have learned about life so far, is that Christians can share the love of Christ any day of the year, regardless of how the dates on the calendar are classified by the world...
We choose to live a life full of Christian traditions.
We also enjoy celebrating secular holidays...even ones that may have dark histories.
We do not worship evil things. Our children know the difference.
And, yes, we are a family that likes candy!
We choose to live a life full of Christian traditions.
We also enjoy celebrating secular holidays...even ones that may have dark histories.
We do not worship evil things. Our children know the difference.
And, yes, we are a family that likes candy!
So far we haven't even introduced Halloween to our kids. I think it is just the easy road. We did do pumpkins this year, and AJU5 liked that. And we have handed out candy (and given her some). But, until she asks about it, I think we will keep the easy road, especially since AJU1 never celebrated growing up.
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