Christian families sometimes face difficult choices when it comes to Halloween. While the idea of dressing up in adventuresome costumes and getting access to almost unlimited candy supplies appeals to kids, parents are concerned about issues like nutritional balance, cavities, and some of the more pagan and demonic influences of certain Halloween themes and costume choices.
What to do?
Some families turn out all of the lights in the house and head off to a movie. Others order a supply of Halloween-themed tracts from American Tract Society to give out to Trick-or-Treaters. This year the dilemma may be even more problematic, with Halloween falling on a Sunday. (Additional story in New York Times.)
Other families, or churches, sponsor an alternative Halloween event, sometimes picking up on the historical connection between Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve) and All Saints Day, November 1st. That’s the theme of this recent story about a family in Bowie, MD, from Religion News Service.
All Saints Day, November 1st, is an official holiday in some historically Roman Catholic countries. Wikipedia reports that the holiday is celebrated differently in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, on the first Sunday after Pentecost, much earlier in the year. Some Protestant churches celebrate All Saints Day on the first Sunday in November, and honor not only the historical saints of the faith but those in the congregation who have died.
The roots of the All Saints celebration go back deep into church history, and it is appropriate to honor those who have gone before us in the faith. A recent commentary by Chuck Colson traced the roots of the holiday all of the way back to Polycarp, a disciple of John the Apostle and the bishop of Smyrna. He was martyred by Roman officials around the year 155. Colson urges parents to use the All Saints holiday as an opportunity to teach our children about some real heroes that we would do well to emulate.
Rob Moll has another take on the Christian perspective on Halloween in today’s Wall Street Journal. Subscription needed to read the whole article.
A New York pastor writes on 7 Reasons Why Christians Should Celebrate Halloween