Halloween: Every day is worth rejoicing
Read More Looking Up
Read More Upward Glances
My wife calls me The Grinch. I don’t like holidays. I don’t like decorating. I don’t like shopping. I don’t like putting all the effort into preparing for a holiday, disrupting my normal routine, and then going back to normal like none of that effort ever counted for anything — it’s a whole lot of effort that didn’t end up making any real, lasting difference. Maybe my wife is right.
But I love Halloween.
I know that many of my brothers and sisters abstain from celebrating because of the demonic imagery that has been associated with Halloween, but I fear that in doing so, we, as the church, are missing an important opportunity. I’d like to invite you to think about Halloween a little differently.
Halloween was originally a Christian holiday. November1isAllSaints’Day, which was set aside by the church to recognize all people who are in heaven because they put their trust in Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection. The day before, then, is All Saints’ Day Eve. “Hallow” is the Old English word for “Saint.” Over time, “ All Hallows’ Eve” was shortened, as English speakers are wont to do, to “Halloween.” It is, then, the night before the day set aside for commemorating all our brothers and sisters in Christ whose hope in him has been perfectly and finally realized. It is a day of confirming the gospel.
Moreover, on Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther kicked off the protestant reformation when he nailed 95 observations about the Roman Catholic Church’s practice of Indulgences. In doing so, he sparked both the Christian tradition many of us practice as well as much needed reforms within the Roman Catholic Church that make the modern church what it is today. For all the missteps of the reformation, Protestants and Roman Catholics owe a lot to that period of history.
Even if these don’t constitute sufficient reason for celebrating on Oct. 31, it cannot be said that the day belongs to the enemy, the devil, dark forces or demonic powers. The Bible declares, “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Every day is created and ordained by God. God is able to accomplish his will on each day. What can be most generally understood about his will every day is that, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:29).
Ironically, this is why I don’t really like most holidays. Everyday is worthy of rejoicing and acknowledging the Lord’s reign and goodness. But there is something special about the way we get to do it on Halloween. We can eat good food any day. We can give gifts any day. We don’t get to entertain dozens of children at your doorstep any day.
On Halloween, unlike any other day of the year, happy children come to your door and ask for something good. There is no other opportunity like this for the gospel all year round.
So, Halloween stands out from other holidays for me. Some of the preparations you make for Halloween can make a lasting difference. At my house, make an impression with free hot dogs, sodas and water on our front lawn. We also hand out more than just candy. With our candy, we hand out gospel tracts. Small booklets with a message about salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection communicated on a child’s level. Sharing the gospel in a positive, nonconfrontational way is never easier than it is on Halloween.
So here’s my encouragement to you for Halloween. Find some children’s tracts. Package them with good candy, and hand them out. Put the best news that’s ever been told directly into a home that needs it. Trust God with the results and see how it goes.