Halloween has come and we’ve been seeing ghosts and witches everywhere at Smith Mountain Lake this week. Since I frequent people groups who are thinkers and talkers, wherever I go I hear discussions on the pros and cons of this holiday. Participating in these kinds of thought-provoking discussions often causes me to reconsider issues our culture takes for granted. Rather than go into the various opinions, I thought I would share with my readers one set of thoughts from a Christian’s perspective (Micca Campbell), which I think is one of the best going around.
Many Christians don’t know what to do with Halloween. They wonder if they should ignore it; protest against it; go along with it, or find alternative ways to participate without offending their faith. We often reason, that nothing good can come from evil so why take part in this holiday? Yet, Joseph tells us in the bible that what is meant for evil God can use for good. In that case, Halloween can be an opportunity for us to do good!
Halloween was part of the Celtic Feast of Samhain. This Druid priest celebration commemorated the beginning of winter. The Festivals consisted of animal sacrifices to the dead and bonfires in recognition of departed souls. Those who participated in the festival believed that goblins, demons, witches, and elves were sent from the world beyond to harass the living. For self-protection, the Druids would dress up like ghouls and goblins and involve themselves in demonic activities. They believed participating in this way kept them from being attacked by real witches and demons.
The early church responded by moving All Saints Day from spring to fall and renamed it Hallows’ Eve. In doing so, Christians used the pagan festival as a catalyst in which to proclaim Christ’s death and resurrection. Halloween, for the early church, became a time to evangelize. They took something evil and used it for good. We would do well to follow their example.
Halloween is not a time for avoidance. It’s a time to communicate with your children, family, and friends that, “yes,” evil, death and the grave are real, but through Christ, we are more than conquerors over it all. What better time to share this good news with others than when our minds are on such things? It’s an opportunity to take something that is evil and use it for good.
Read more about Micca Campbell at http://www.miccacampbell.com/.