I loved this witty & pastoral explanation! So well done. Thank you for writing it, I’m certain it will be helpful to the people your church as well as many others.
Our church does something like what you encourage in the final paragraph — we call it Family Fall Festival. We join to celebrate the Reformation on October 31st in the evening, the children are invited to dress up as godly biblical figures, reformers, saints, or wholesome characters who clearly represent good, and we hand out the BIG candy bars along with our own Gospel tracts to the community and have conversations with parents who bring their children trick or treating. It’s our way of bringing their light into a darkened, Christless community and engaging with the culture instead of hiding in our homes with the blinds shut and lights off.
This was an Interesting morning read. I liked Halloween as a kid (free candy, who would not)? Now, as you point out, it has become far too macabre. As a child, we put a pumpkin in our window. That was it. I usually don't engage much with the day any longer (we have rarely had children at our door, although we did take my daughter out as a child: Disney Princess, Lady Bug, Cute little witch, Tigger, were among the more memorable costumes.
I am going to an event, as hubby is hunting and I thought, why sit alone with the lights off. The theme is "creatures of the night." I wracked my brain until I came up with the idea for an owl costume. I will be surrounded by some pretty out there costumes, no doubt. This increased obsession with the "holiday" points to some underlying need in our society for something to celebrate, even as the society turned/turns away from Christ. Having said this, I think there has been a turning point, with reports of Bible sales and church attendance way up. The light will conquer the darkness as we know. It is the getting through the darkness that is the challenge.
Am I still going out? Yes, that remains more appealing than sitting alone in the dark. But, thank you for your balanced take on the subject.
I loved this witty & pastoral explanation! So well done. Thank you for writing it, I’m certain it will be helpful to the people your church as well as many others.
Our church does something like what you encourage in the final paragraph — we call it Family Fall Festival. We join to celebrate the Reformation on October 31st in the evening, the children are invited to dress up as godly biblical figures, reformers, saints, or wholesome characters who clearly represent good, and we hand out the BIG candy bars along with our own Gospel tracts to the community and have conversations with parents who bring their children trick or treating. It’s our way of bringing their light into a darkened, Christless community and engaging with the culture instead of hiding in our homes with the blinds shut and lights off.
Great idea, Eden!
This was an Interesting morning read. I liked Halloween as a kid (free candy, who would not)? Now, as you point out, it has become far too macabre. As a child, we put a pumpkin in our window. That was it. I usually don't engage much with the day any longer (we have rarely had children at our door, although we did take my daughter out as a child: Disney Princess, Lady Bug, Cute little witch, Tigger, were among the more memorable costumes.
I am going to an event, as hubby is hunting and I thought, why sit alone with the lights off. The theme is "creatures of the night." I wracked my brain until I came up with the idea for an owl costume. I will be surrounded by some pretty out there costumes, no doubt. This increased obsession with the "holiday" points to some underlying need in our society for something to celebrate, even as the society turned/turns away from Christ. Having said this, I think there has been a turning point, with reports of Bible sales and church attendance way up. The light will conquer the darkness as we know. It is the getting through the darkness that is the challenge.
Am I still going out? Yes, that remains more appealing than sitting alone in the dark. But, thank you for your balanced take on the subject.
Good thoughts, thanks Ms. P.