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WHAT ABOUT HALLOWEEN?
Among Christians, Halloween is probably the most
controversial day of the year. Yet most Christians
are not aware of the origin of Halloween. Many are
shocked to discover that the Christian church
started the celebration of Halloween in the seventh
century. Before suggesting on how to react to
Halloween, a short history of the holiday and it's
surrounding myths is in order.
The Christian church established Halloween in the
seventh century. The church set aside All Saint's
Day (All Soul's Day) in memory of the early
Christians who died for their beliefs. It was first
celebrated May 13th. In 741 A.D., Pope Gregory III
dedicated a chapel in the basilica of St. Peter to
"all of the saints" on November 1. One year before
his death, he unilaterally established November 1,
as "All Saint's Day."
Another name for All Saint's Day was All Hallows.
October 31 was know as All Hallow's Eve and later
the name was shortened to Halloween.
As Christianity spread throughout Europe and
England, many Celts and Druids were converted to
Christianity. Unfortunately, they still held to some
of their old pagan beliefs. The Celts believed that
evil spirits roamed about as the sun (believed to be
a god) grew pale and Samhain (lord of the dead) grew
stronger. This occurred at the end of the fall
season. It was believed on October 31 that the souls
of the dead would rise from the grave to haunt the
living. The Druids actually offered humans burned
alive as sacrifices to Samhain during this day. Both
the Druids and Celts dressed in grotesque and
terrifying costumes on this night. They believed
that if they dressed in that fashion they would not
be recognized and therefore the spirits would do
them no harm. The Celts believed that when these
spirits came to your house, if you did not treat
them, they would trick you.
Many Halloween legends and customs of today have
come from the Celts. In addition, the Romans had a
festival for the dead in late October (the Fernilia).
The two festivals gradually blended together.
Witches have become part of Halloween. Although the
practice of witchcraft is as old as history, it was
first practiced by single individuals claiming
different powers. Around the tenth century the cult
of witchcraft was formed in England. Since, at that
time, society looked upon women as the property of
their husbands, and the witch cult looked upon them
as equals, many of the followers were women. King
Edgar of England (944 - 975 A.D.) stated that
witchcraft became more popular than Christianity. It
was at that time its followers became known as
witches. The picture we recognize as a witch during
Halloween, is the strange looking female in a black
cloak and peaked hat, riding a broomstick along with
her cat. This picture was derived in part from the
early practice of witchcraft.
The broomstick, originally made from a stalk of the
broom plant with a bunch of leaves at the head, was
said to be used by poor witches who went by foot.
The broom pole was used to vault over brooks,
streams or thorny patches. Due to its use for indoor
cleaning, the broom became a symbol of women. In
England, during initiation ceremonies, new witches
were sometimes blindfolded, smeared with urgent,
then placed on a broom. The urgent had strange
effects when it was applied to the skin. One
ingredient confused the mind. Another numbed the
feet, which gave them the feeling of flying.
Black cats are frequently included in the pictures
of witches for Halloween. There are many
superstitions and myths about cats. Throughout
history, cats have been considered either as a
deity, or cursed as a demon. The Halloween cat was
thought to be the witches 'familiar' or spirit
contact. Since everything looks dim and shadowy
after dark, all cats looked black. Thus the legend
of the witch's black cat.
The Jack -O- Lantern may have come from a story
about an Irish drunkard named 'Stingy Jack'. The
story tells us that one Halloween, Jack invited the
Devil to have a drink. Jack tricked the Devil on how
they were going to pay for the drink. One year
later, they meet again on Halloween and Jack tricks
the Devil into sparing his soul for ten years.
Unfortunately, Jack died before the ten years were
up. Neither heaven or hell would or could admit Jack
at this earlier time. As Jack trudged on eating a
turnip, the Devil threw him a live coal out of the
fires of hell. In desperation to find his way, Jack
put the coal inside the turnip. Ever since then Jack
is said to be roaming the face of the earth with his
JACK - O - LANTERN, searching for a place of rest.
This is said to be the origin of the globe-faced
pumpkins that sit on porches and in windows of
American homes at Halloween. In Ireland, they use
large rutabagas, turnips, and potatoes instead of
pumpkins.
Now knowing the history of Halloween, the Christian
must decide how to react to it. Some will simply
ignore the history and costumes and become part of
the festival. Others take the closed door approach,
and not allow any family members to participate in
any way on Halloween. While making it clear that it
is wrong to participate in the secular or pagan side
of Halloween, we do suggest the celebration of
Halloween. Allow us to explain.
There are some basic rules in our war with Satan. He
cannot move forward unless Christians move back.
Halloween is a perfect example of this. While first
introduced as a Christian holy day, Satan has been
allowed to all but take it from Christians. Yet what
a beautiful opportunity Halloween offers today to
preach the Gospel of Jesus. While the secular world
pays for the advertisement, Christians have the
opportunity to introduce Jesus. We offer the
following suggestions.
The introduction of wearing costumes on Halloween is
not only from pagan rituals. The early Christian
churches of Ireland also used costumes on this day.
Many churches staged plays, called pageants, for the
benefit of their members. Each pageant participant
dressed up as a patron saint. The procession marched
from the church out into the church yard, where the
play continued late into the evening. Soon, nearly
all of Ireland thought of October 31 as a night for
dressing in costumes. We suggest the Christian
churches reintroduce the pageants, to teach Biblical
history. Thus members would dress as Biblical
characters and tell about their services to God.
The children could dress as angels. Angels often
serve as God's messengers. Thus, your costumed
angels can go door to door giving the message of
Jesus. Instead of trick or treats, they can collect
money or food. The money may be targeted for
missionaries, Bibles for India, or Russia. The food
can feed the homeless and poor. At the same time,
our little angels can hand out tracts about Jesus
and His promises. When else during the year do
neighbors expect children to dress in costumes and
knock at their door? This time they can open the
door to salvation.
It is important to also change the pagan symbols
associated with Halloween into Christian symbols. In
place of the Jack -O -Lantern we could use the cross
or a candle. The broomstick could easily become a
staff. Replacing the bat with the Dove can send a
strong message. The witch, skeleton and ghosts can
be replaced with angels and Biblical characters.
Finally the haunted house is replaced by a church
building. Picture the message that can be given by
using Christian symbols. While most schools and
government locations do not allow religious
activities, they often sponsor Halloween programs or
activities. Now they can not object if we use our
symbols for Halloween since it was originally a
Christian holiday. Lets take it back.
Its time to take back our Christian Holy Day and use
it to bring others to Jesus Christ. While Satan can
only move forward if Christians step back,
Christians can push him back by stepping forward.
The choice is ours! In what direction will you step?
For Additional Information Contact
True Light Educational Ministry
P.O. Box 310
Shirley, NY 11967
Telephone (631) 395-4646
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TLEM