Thoughts on Halloween for a Christian Parent

 

Last year around Halloween, we were part of 3 trunk-or-treat events in Allendale. As I wrote last year, this was a great way to connect with our community.

But I know that Christians have mixed thoughts about this holiday. These perspectives run the gamut of:

• Halloween is a pagan holiday, so we should not celebrate it.
• Halloween is just a fun thing for kids, so don't sweat it at all.
• Let's tweak and Christian-ize Halloween so our kids can dress up and get candy, while we can also find a way to attach God's truth to it.

Do you agree? Are there other perspectives of Halloween?

Here are some articles I read in 2011 to help think through what this means for your family:

Hallowing Halloween (from Ministry Matters)

Gives a good history of Halloween, including the intersection with Christianity. Then, gives five ideas to help you hallow Halloween. This article concludes with,

All Hallow's Eve is your opportunity to focus on the powerful theme of life in the presence of God, both now and forever. Then Halloween again becomes a hallowed time of joyful community on earth now, and a reminder of the promise of life in heaven. Its time to put the "Hallow" back in All Hallow's Eve.

Halloween and Hot Chocolate (from Family Matters)

I've seen this idea before -- providing hot cocoa in one's garage -- which gives a chance to serve and connect with the adults who are taking kids trick-or-treating.

If we want to foster community and have influence where God has placed us, we have to first believe and behave like we want community with those around us!

Sent into the Harvest: Halloween on Mission (from Desiring God)

You'll be challenged by considering these 30+ "What if" questions, including:

• What if dads led their households in a fresh approach to Halloween as Christians on mission?
• What if those of us taking this fresh approach to Halloween recognized that Christians hold a variety of views about Halloween, and we gave grace to those who see the day differently than we do?
• What if we hallowed Jesus at Halloween by pursuing gospel advance and going lovingly on the attack?
• What if we resolved not to join the darkness by keeping our porch lights off?
• What if thinking evangelistically about Halloween didn’t mean just dropping tracts into children’s bags, but the good candy? 

For more thoughts on Halloween, check out My Halloween Theory, by Tim Challies. He gives three reasons why this holiday has surged in popularity, the chief of which is a longing for community.

Related Link:

• Weighing the Options: Should We Have a Baby? Should We Celebrate Halloween?