I used to have a Halloween alternative party at our church for the kids. We had pumpkin cookie decorating, We had games similar to what you would see at the fairs, that they would play for prizes. They could come dressed in costume, say as their favorite super hero and then one of the dads would talk about the real super hero -  Jesus!! They also got to do a pumpkin walk for a free pumpkin, if they landed on a paper circle with a number. They also got some candy to take home. The kids loved it, and it always had a somewhat religious theme brought into it. The parents liked it and the kids were off the street and safe. They were allowed to bring their friends too. We asked for donations for candy etc. And everyone in the church couldnt wait to help out at the party.

I have only liked Halloween for the scary amusement, the candy and the thrill of the mysterious and frightful.  I think that Halloween rather has nothing to do with the Bible and it's just another remnant of European paganism that has survived in the Anglophone societies of the world most of which have many Christians.

Halloween is mostly harmless... but I admit that I have never gone trick-or-treating.  It was never my thing, but I did like to eat the candy.  I think that some people go too far with Halloween and they might do debaucherous things that are against God like vandalizing property or some people dress as sexy rather than scary characters, which could lead to certain things.

Basically in terms of Halloween in respect to those who believe in God, well, I think one just needs to reflect on their own heart and 'listen' to what God is telling them.  If you think that you shouldn't participate in the holiday then don't, but if you like the spirit of fun that it represents then go ahead and enjoy.

Yes I agree that it is easy to get caught up with the commercial trappings imposed on these holidays, but I believe that Churches should concentrate on the sacred.  Celebrations have been a part of Biblical history from Genisis

Celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year.

It is our commision to understand the difference between the earthly and the devine.  Another thought is that Santa Clause and the Easter Bunnie have, in a way, put Chriatianity on the unchurched radar.  It provides teaching moments for all of us.

I guess it could be that I just subscribe to the view that God can be found everywhere, even at Walmart.

I came across this thread very late, but I thought I'd put my 2 cents in anyway.  To my best recollection, Halloween is a christian holiday, and although it has pagan influence. (as does Christmas, Thank a pagan next time you decorate your Christmas tree or deck your halls).  Halloween is All Hallows Eve.  The eve before All Saints Day.  Here is some history for ya

The Origin of Halloween: From Pagan to Christian
Other historians trace the origin of Halloween back to the ancient and enduring Christian tradition of celebrating the lives of Christian martyrs on the anniversaries of their deaths. When Pope Boniface IV reconsecrated the Pantheon in Rome on May 13, 609 AD, renaming it the “Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs,” he established that anniversary as a day of celebratory remembrance for all of the Church’s martyrs. Pope Gregory III later changed the date of remembrance to November 1 when he dedicated a chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica to “all saints.” November 1 became All Saints Day, otherwise known as All Hallow’s Day. The night before became All Hallow’s Eve (“Halloween” being a colloquial contraction of that phrase). While Halloween began as a localized celebration, Pope Gregory IV extended its observance to all of Christendom in the 9th Century AD.

As Christianity spread throughout the world, pagan holidays were either Christianized or forgotten. Samhain was absorbed into Halloween. Costumes and gifts and bobbing for apples were preserved, incorporated into the new holiday. They remain a celebrated part of Halloween to this day, many centuries later.

The above sited from the website below

http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/or … loween.htm

Just a thought.....

My christian tradition keeps the holidays of the Bible.


The Thread - God's Appointments With History, by Ronald L. Dart


You know that the two most important holidays throughout the Christian world are Easter and Christmas. But did you know that neither of these days is found observed anywhere in the Bible?

Few have understood The Thread that runs from the beginning of the Bible to the end of the New Testament. When God acted in history, there events commonly took place at “appointed” times.  All of these appointed times of God took on names and customs which were related to the important events in history.

Traditional beliefs say that the festivals came in with the old covenant and went out with the cross. But as you follow The Thread, there is good reason to doubt that. The feasts we find in the Bible are transcendent, and from the very beginning were pointed, not so much at Israel’s history, but at the much overlooked work and ministry of Jesus Christ in history. This is a book you will read again and again and give to others. You will gain understanding of how each holy day points to Christ and impacts your life.