Growing up, I don't think I even knew what Halloween was until about age 10. Really. My parents took us to the movies or out to dinner I guess and we never even saw trick or treaters. They didn't take us to our church Fall Festival because they didn't see a need to give us an alternative for something we shouldn't care about missing. I would even miss the day at school when they have Halloween parties and costume parades. I appreciate my parents doing this. They had done their research (I can picture the book perfectly "Halloween and Satanism") and they felt that as Christian's they were taking a stand against the pagan, evil rituals.
About the time I was 10 or 11, I remember getting ready to go out to dinner when the doorbell rang and all of our neighborhood friends were dressed up and yelling trick or treat. My parents looked at each other, smiled and asked if we wanted to dress up. In 45 seconds (maybe less) I had donned my Bride dress up clothes and Jesse was in full camo gear (complete with machine gun amo around his chest).
I should probably ask my parents to fill me in on their thoughts during that time, or what changed so the following year we could attend the church Fall festival (me in my Miss America/princess/80's prom dress I had convinced my grandma to buy at a yard sale). Jasen was born the following year and he was always allowed to dress up- funny enough that silly kid choose for himself several years not to participate, much to Jesse's and my dismay. He was our only chance at candy!
I know several years later my mom read another book about Redeeming Halloween, and for the first time we carved pumpkins. This time instead of fearing the old pagan ritual of scaring evil spirits away, we talked about Christ coming into our hearts, cleaning out the junk, and shining through. Brilliant!
Even though my parents attitude changed toward Halloween and we minimally participated, I still hate the holiday and decorations. But I love candy and dress up. So in the end I really don't see a problem with doing either.
If we avoid the holiday at all costs for fear of the evil origins, we might as well skip Christmas- not the focus of Jesus' birth, but the gifts, Santa and Christmas tree (which I know has pagan orgins too, but I can't remember accurately right now, and don't have time to look up because I hear Aubri waking from her nap!). As a side note, Jose and I are in agreement about letting Aubri dress up for Halloween, but we are leaning towards not teaching about Santa.
When I spent a semester at Focus on the Family Institute, I got the opportunity to go on the air with Susie Shellenberger. It was the day before Halloween. I was prepared to share my anti-Halloween attitude, and then was shocked when she opened up the Life on the Edge show with Dobson's position of redeeming the holiday. Instead I spoke about the wonderful opportunity church's have to host outreaches and Fall Festivals!
As a Children's pastor, I've been dreading Halloween, especially since it falls on Sunday! I know there are families who feel strongly against it- and I understand, I've been there- and there are other families asking if their kid can wear their costume to church! Now I'm so looking forward to the day and the Sr. Pastor's wife and I picked out the greatest goodies and lessons. We are going to teach the kids how to Light the Night for Jesus (made easier with their glow stick cross necklaces), we are dressing up in crazy clothes to copy our favorite Hillsong worship leaders, and there might be a certain pumpkin carving lesson. I'm spending the week contemplating what slimy junk and seeds need to be removed from my heart so that Jesus' light can shine through me.
One final thought. How horribly unfortunate would it be if I wasn't okay with dressing up for Halloween? We would miss out on seeing this BEE-utiful Snow White!
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