Hallowe'en

You will have your own thoughts. Call it Hallowe’en or Trick or Treat, you might love the night or loathe it. Christian adults can get all hot and bothered, or even in extreme cases, theological, when the topic comes up, and especially as the dreaded night approaches.

At the child’s level, this is a great opportunity to dress up, act silly, and get a reward for telling a terrible joke, or singing an off key song. They are too young to see anything else behind the pirate costume, and the chance to fill their treat box in the house when they get home.

At the secular adult level, parents are concerned about their child’s safety, so will probably be following just out of sight of their charges, as they (with a big grin) ‘fleece’ neighbours of their chocolate stash.

The theologically minded Christian is a different matter altogether. If they have young children, and they push their displeasure of hallowe’en by discouraging participation, they risk two things. In the first place, they are at risk of alienating their own children from their friends. In fact they will effectively sacrifice their children for their own belief. Secondly, they will become known in the neighbourhood as a ‘strange’ or ‘odd’ person, who would not let their kids dress up, and not as a Christian. The witness has been compromised. Unfortunately, I see that as a lose-lose situation.

The Bible does talk about witchcraft, and the heinous sin that it is. It is an abomination before God, and violates the first commandment. Of that there is no dispute. However, let me leave a few thoughts with you. Do you personally know any witches or covens? Have you heard of any in your area? Do you personally know of any wrong doing, or law breaking by anyone who just might be a witch? No, neither do I. However, and it is a big however, there are elements of the day I do not like, and see as evil. How about those open witches and covens we see on TV and read about in the juicy tabloids? These people do exist, and they are anti-God in every way, and to be avoided. There are also the yearly menu of films on the children’s channels like Disney and Nickelodeon which are nothing short of horrifying and blood and gore offerings which do nothing to celebrate the fun side of the day. The innocence of their young lives are short changed by film and program makers who want to serve up as much horror as possible, and the more graphic the better.

So, where do I stand? I see nothing wrong in letting young children do a bit of harmless ‘guising’ with their pals (never alone) under the supervision of a loving parent, Christian or not, but making sure they know full well the reason for the next day in the calendar. All Saints Day on 1 November comes round every year, but it is not ‘cool’ to celebrate it, or even talk about it. This is the day that Christians should really be celebrating, and for all the right reasons. Did you recognise and celebrate THAT day?