We are a few days away from Halloween. A question that I am sometimes asked- should Christians celebrate Halloween?
Celebrate is a strong word. I probably would not go as far as to say we should “celebrate” Halloween. But a better question would be – should Christians participate in Halloween?
Last weekend our church hosted a Harvest Festival. It was a Halloween alternative with costumes and trunk-or-treat. We had many people from our community join us for this event. It was an opportunity for us to open our doors and meet people who might not show up for Sunday morning worship.
Halloween is the Eve of All Saints Day, which is a Christian Holiday. All Saints Day is not a holiday that widely observed in the Church. At least not on the same scale as Christmas or Easter. But that was not always the case.
It was on All Hallows Eve in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the Wittenberg Church doors to spark the Reformation. He picked this night because he knew it was a night many people would come to the church. All Hallows Eve in 1517 was much like our Christmas Eve of today.
Long before All Saints Day was a Christian holiday, it was a pagan holiday. The origins of this day are a bit of a mystery. You will find different things on the Internet about the beginnings of Halloween. But it is relatively clear that this day was focused on connecting with the spirits of the dead. The Church simply took this day and put a new spin on it. Rather than connecting with the dead, the Church focused on celebrating the lives of the faithful saints who had come before and passed the faith on to the next generation. The Church redeemed the day.
Today the focus of October 31 is not about All Saints Day. The day is more focused on its pre-Christian origins. God doesn’t have much of a part in the celebration. It is about costumes, trick-or-treat, hayrides, and haunted houses.
There are some Christians who will hide in their homes, turn off their lights, and refuse to take part in the event. And that is their right to do so. But I want to look at 1 Corinthians:
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 1 Corinthians 10:23–24 (ESV)
This verse is instructive for me. There is much to be desired about Halloween from a Christian’s perspective. At the same time, there is much good about this day. It is a day that people come out of their homes and meet their neighbors.
Rather than hiding from it, let’s show up and let the light of Jesus shine brightly in our neighborhoods. We can refrain from the portraying of blood, monsters, spirits, and other ungodly elements. We can participate in this event and still point to Christ. God is about the work of redemption. Rather than run from this day, let’s redeem the day just like the saints who came before us.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you think Christians should participate/refrain from Halloween? Why or why not?
- What are some ways to witness your faith during this event?
- Give God thanks for a faithful saint who helped to pass the faith on to you.
- Share your comments.
Kathie Byrd says
Thank you for this refreshing look at Halloween.
The Rev. Betsy Porter says
At our Episcopal Church we hang a banner on All Saints’Eve/Halloween that reads “Happy All Saints’ Eve”. We hand out the best treats in the neighborhood and we open our doors wide for kids of all ages to enter our church and ask questions. The candles are lit and the organist is playing. It is a wonderful event that helps us teach others a little about our faith. We usually have 300-500 kids of all ages visit us in our little town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The Rev. Betsy Porter, St. James’ Episcopal Church, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Phil Ressler says
Sounds like a great event. God’s blessings!
Darlene says
We gave out fruit snacks to which was staples Galatians 5:22. We also gave out a lot of smiles and compliments so that the children would see us as friendly, cheerful, welcoming adults. In our small community, maybe they’ll also connect us to the church where we attend.
AYANNA says
Brother the bible clearly states what does darkness have to do with light? Jesus Christ spoke these words of God My father up in Heaven! Let the dead bury the dead, meaning we are not to worship or set up shrines of those who have fallen asleep or have past away!
The day of Halloween is clearly a pagan holiday and we as Christians should not recognize this day as something good,
You cannot and should not pick from the bible what you think is says and use it to your own understanding. In which you cause people to sin against The Almighty God! Father God in Heaven said Touch not the unclean things and I will receive you as myb Sons And daughters! People who worship false gods and sorcerers and soothsayers all of those who don’t believe in God and are disobeying to the 10 commandments that were written down in the old testament worship their god on this day!
You cannot compromise the WORD of God almighty to make others feel good in their sin! God hates sin and He is not happy with the sinner and that’s a fact!!!! But if you turn from your sin repent and ask Gods forgiveness he is faithful to forgive!!!!!
If you are a true Christian living in the Power of Gods Holy Spirit there is NOOOOO way on Gods GOOD Green earth would you allow GODS people to participate or celebrate in this EVIL day!!!!
The bible says JOHN 3:16-21 For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever belives in HIM should not perish but have eternal life For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through HIM Whoever belives in Him is not condemned but whoever does not belive in the name of the Only Son of God ……. AND THIS IS THE JUDGMENT !!! THE LIGHT HAS COME INTO THE WORLD AND THE PEOPLE LOVED THE DARKNESS RATHER THAN THE LIGHT BECAUSE THEIR WORKS WERE EVIL. FOR EVERYONE WHO DOES WICKED THINGS HATES THE LIGHT AND DOES NOT COME TO THE LIGHT LEST his WORKS BE EXPOSED. BUT WHOEVER DOES WHAT IS TRUE COMES TO THE LIGHT, SO THAT IT MAY BE CLEARLY SEEN THAT his WORKS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT IN GOD!!
NOW WITH THAT BEING SAID WHAT DOES LIGHT HAVE ANY BUSINES WITH DARKNESS? PEOPLE WHO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN CELEBRATE DEATH! GOD IS LIFE! IT DOESNT MAKE SENSE TO CELEBRATE DEATH AND SCARE LITTLE CHILDREN WHEN FATHER IN HEAVEN SAYS THAT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS TO THE LITTLE CHILDREN! GOD MY FATHER IN HEAVEN LISTENS TO THEN PRAYER OF ALL LITTLE CHILDREN AND IT IS NOT HIS WILL THAT ANYONE STOP THEM FROM COMING TO JESUS OR FRIGHTEN OR SCARE THEM!!! WHY DO YOU THINK THEY CRY WHEN CERTAIN PEOPLE COMEAREOUND THEM OR THEY SEE EVIL THING ON THE TV? CHILDREN SEE GODS FACE AND HEAR HIS VOICE!1 AND IT IS OUR JOBS AS THEIR PARENTS AND GURDIANS TO PROTECT THEM FROM EVIL!!!! IT IS THE HEARTS OF MAN THAT IS WICKED AND ONLY GOD ABOVE KNOW HOW WICKED OUR HEARTS CAN BE!
SO ALL OF YOU ADULTS WHO BUY DEATH SELL DEATH SPEAK DEATH YOU SHALL REAP WHAT YOU SEW IF YOU DONT REPENT TURN FROM YOUR SINS CONFESS YOUR SINS TO GOD AND ASK FORGIVNESS!
NOW TO THE PASTOR OF THIS CHURCH OR BLOG I STONGLY URGE YOU IN THE NAME OF GOD MY FATHER IN HEAVEN, REPENT FROM CELEBRATING THIS EVIL DAY!!!
GOD SAID “I PUT BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH, CHOSE LIVE THAT YOU AND YOUR DECENDANTS MAY LIVE” FATHER GOD GAVE YOU THE ANSWER TO THE TEST! DO AWAY WITH THE CELEBRATION ALL TOGETHER BROTHER!
ALSO MY FAHTER IN HEAVEN HAS PUT IT ON MY HEART TO WRITE TO YOU THIS MARK;9;42 IF ANYONE CAUSES ONE OTH THESE LITTLE ONES-THOSE WHO BELIVES IN ME TO STUMBLE, IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR THEM IF A Large MILLSTONE WERE HUNG AROUND THEIR NECK AND THEY WERE THROWN INTO THE SEA.
YOU ARE A LEADER OF MANY FRIEND SO YOU WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE WORDS YOU PREACH AND TEACH. TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVE MUCH MORE WILL BE REQUIRED!
IF YOU ARE LEANING ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDIG OF THE SCRIPTUES AND THE SECRETS OF GOD HAS NOT BEEN REVILED TO YOU I SUGEST THAT YOU STEP DOWN REPENT WAIT PRAY AND LET THE LORD FILL YOU WITH HIS POWER AND WORDS NOT YOUR OWN! OTHER WISE YOU ARE THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND AND YOU BOTH WILL END UP IN A DITCH..
IM JUST A CONCERNED SISTER IN CHRIST JESUS THAT HEAR AND KNOW THE VOICE OF THE ENMY AND THIS ARTICAL IS THE WORK OF SATAN!
PRAY BROTHER PRAY!!!!! THIS IS A SERIOUSE SERIOUS JOB THAT YOUN HAVE TAKEN!! NOT OLNY SHOULD YOU TALK IT, FATHER GOD COMMANDS THAT ALL WHO PRREACH THE GOSPEL WALK THE GOSPEL IN TRUTH! AMEN. MAY MY FATHER GOD IN HEAVEN CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU ALWAYS IN JESUS CHRIST! HALLELEUJAH TO GOD FOR HIS CHOSEN SERVANTS! AMEN! WRITTEN WITH LOVE! HARD TO HEAR , BUT WORDS OF TRUTH!
YOU CAN NOT PREACH WORDS THAT SOOTHES THE ITCHING EARS
Phil Ressler says
Ayanna – thanks for your comments. Just so you know that when you write in all caps it implies that you are yelling at someone. Also, it makes it difficult to read. I would encourage you not to write so angry.
To answer you question, the Bible also says that the light shines in the darkness. Jesus himself ate and drank with tax collectors. He turned water into wine at a party that was probably far from godly. The Apostle Paul spent a good amount of time living in Corinth which was a terribly perverse city.
I would ask you to read the article – not just the headline. The light of Jesus shines brighter in the darkness and there are not too many days darker than Halloween. I do not condone indulging in Halloween, but redeeming it – speak a better way. It’s the Eve of All Saints after all!
Christmas was also a pagan Roman holiday at one time. It was focused on worshipping the sun. But Christians redeemed the day by focusing it on the worship of the Son of God. There is an argument we can make a better witness on Halloween than we could ever make at Christmas. With Christmas – Christ’s name is attached to many things that have very little to do with Christ. At Halloween the lines are much more clear. There is much less confusion about what is a true Christian witness at Halloween compared to Christmas. How many people fail to realize that Christmas is the celebration of the Savior’s birth? How many people think they are celebrating Christmas by buying presents for themselves and others at a shopping mall? When we compare Halloween, no one thinks they are celebrating Christ by dressing up in a costume. So the true Christian witness will stand out.