Read: Joshua 24:14-18
Each year the shelves at the stores fill up with candy and costumes as the Fall leaves begin to fall. And each year many Christians wonder, “How should I feel about Halloween?” or “What should I tell my children about Halloween?” We like the fun of dressing up and getting and giving out candy, but we are somewhat uneasy about all of the other things that this day represents.
I personally have never been a big fan of this day because of the deep pagan history that it has, but I also realize that kids enjoy the costumes and the candy part and many of those things are actually quite innocent and fun for them. Perhaps Dr. James Dobson sums up my feelings well in what he writes about Halloween. He says…..
“Halloween is a rather different story. Whereas it can be argued that Christmas is a Christian holiday with Christian origins that has suffered the effects of growing secularism, Halloween can be traced to distinctly pagan sources. It is reasonable, then, that many believers would find some aspects of its celebration disturbing. I agree with them in that regard. The traditional emphasis upon the occult, witches, devils, death, and evil sends messages to our kids that Godly parents can only regard with alarm. There is clearly no place in the Christian community for this “darker side” of Halloween.
Even here, however, there is a place for some harmless fun. Kids love to dress up and pretend. If the Halloween experience is focused on fantasy rather than the occult, I see no harm in it. Make costumes for your children that represent fun characters, such as Mickey Mouse or an elderly grandmother, and then let them go door-to-door asking for treats. This side of Halloween can be thoroughly enjoyable for the little ones.
Let me add, again, that I’ve given you my personal opinion. I realize that the topic is controversial among committed Christians, and I’m sensitive to the reasons for their misgivings. My final word to parents on the subject would be ’Stay true to your own convictions.’”
Have a blessed week, Glen Rhodes, Arthur Mennonite Church