Before we talk about anything else, I must remind you that the giveaway for the Kindle Fire HD ends tonight at midnight! Click here to enter!
So today is Halloween – some celebrate it and some don’t.
I’m aware of the holiday’s pagan roots and yes, there are some parts of it I don’t love (scary werewolf faces with blood hanging from its fangs, anyone?)
But you know what I do love about Halloween?
How it brings neighbors and friends together.
We live in a neighborhood filled with children and Halloween becomes a two hour street party in the ‘hood – it’s the last hurrah before we all start to hibernate in our homes for the winter.
We gather for jack o’lantern-shaped pizzas and marvel at costumes then we’re on our merry way.
By the end of the night, there’s inevitably a meltdown or two (or ten) and someone is mad that one of their siblings got more candy than they did.
The snap broke on my costume and how dare anyone not have their porch light on and these shoes hurt my feet . . . I’m guessing if you celebrate Halloween, you know this drill, too.
But on the other hand . . . we make memories. Our children remember their neighborhood friends’ costumes from last year and they remember theirs. Each of them wears a sparkle in their eyes, revealing to the world how excited they really are – even if they’re really cool.
What’s not to love about the thrill of free candy?
And I’ve heard the naysayers and I understand their point and respect it completely.
Yet I truly believe if we want to encourage others to follow our God, we need to meet them where they are – without condescension and without making it look like it’s no fun to be a Christian.
So instead of focusing on the legalistic side of Halloween (and please know if you choose to abstain, I’m not suggesting you are legalistic. I’ve just heard some fire and brimstone arguments in the past that make me think it does more damage than good), I’m going to focus on the good that comes from it:
Like the pack of ninjas on the front lawn . . .
And their super-swanky ninja moves (check out Spencer on the far left . . . Love. It.)
Like the sweet girl who will soon think costumes like this are dorky . . .
And precious friends who are like family.
Yes, like anything, there’s a downside to Halloween.
But I would rather focus on the upside.
Happy Fall/Halloween to you, friends . . . May this evening be filled with being His light and making memories.
Agree!!! Glad to hear a Dentist’s wife say she LOVES free candy! I guess that is job security!!! Are you a house that hands out floss and apples? If so, you have a a few more hours to get some chocolate!! Just kidding! Great perspective. I love doing the “check” on the candy when the kids go to bed. HA!
Absolutely no floss and apples! We hand out gummy bears, pixie sticks, and suckers along with a Mountain Dew to wash it down. We also put Jason’s card in every child’s bag…
HA!
Have fun, friend!!
Is a werewolf costume ok if it DOESN’T have blood dripping from it’s fangs? :) (did you see my FB post the other day?)
I totally agree with your post! Nicely said.
Totally. My kids know blood is a deal-breaker in our house.
We love werewolves…I have two boys so, you know, we love ’em…
Coming from a family that never once celebrated Halloween or went trick or treating…it was difficult to make my own decisions as a parent. My kids and I are very sensitive to demonic stuff, often resulting in nightmares and uneasiness. But when you take the scary and the pagen crap out of Halloween, it’s just a fun day where you can dress up and goof off and eat sugar…..*I brushed my teeth, I promise! ;)* Calvary’s trunk or treat was last night and we went and it was so much fun and it was a safe envirenment for my littles and so many people came! It was fantastic and fun! I don’t like the history behind Halloween, but I like seeing my children’s joyful faces as they dress up and have fun! *I love dressing up too!….sshhh!* haha
Glad you had fun, Teelier. I agree – I don’t necessarily love everything behind it but my children LOVE it and it is a great way to spend time with others who aren’t necessarily believers. It gets us out of the saltshaker a bit…:)
Have a wonderful night – thanks for reading and commenting!
I just read a blog a lady wrote last year that is now just becoming viral about this topic…her perspective was great and very similar to yours. In a nutshell, what other night of the year do your neighbors come knocking on your door? What a beautiful way to show the love of Jesus by having a well-lit house and a big smile.
YES! I haven’t seen that post but that’s what I’m talking about exactly – if we constantly eschew traditions of the world, we will never reach anyone. It doesn’t mean we need to align completely with the worldly way of thinking but we can, and should, reach others right where they are – walking around the neighborhood with their kids…
Have a wonderful night, sweet friend – please send me your blog link again when you get the chance!!! :)
Beautifully Stated!!! Thank you for putting into words why our family enjoys Halloween. And we still Love Jesus, even more than the free candy.
We do as well! :) But the free candy sure is fun, isn’t it?! Have a wonderful night – thank you for reading and commenting!
Well said! The family, friends and happy memories are so very precious! Have fun!
Yes they are, Jen! You have a wonderful night, Jen!
I LOVE this post and definitely needed to read it. There was a time a really enjoyed this holiday and you have reminded me why. I DO ADORE the way it brings friends and neighbors together to celebrate the changing of seasons while gathering around backyard bonfires and sipping cocoa. I love the sweet costumes and the things easily crafted by the minds of children. I have found myself struggling with the competition amongst mothers over who stayed up the latest hand sewing themed costumes for the entire family before hand rolling perfect little rice crispy balls that are then transformed into pumpkins….and the scary, dark side that allows 6 year olds to run around with hatchets hanging out of their heads while teenagers steal and smash pumpkins. Thanks for the reminder to focus on the memory making, twinkling eyes, and togetherness that Halloween brings instead of the dread that I got caught in this year. And we are off to sweep the neighborhood and check out the "must visit" yards and houses!
I completely agree! Thanks so much for speaking up about this! Its been such a struggle for a few years and I have finally decided to see the joy in it and be the shinning light God wants me to be, not a mad angry judgmental person about it. I can reach so many more people this way! So I only participate in the joy filled aspects and try to share God’s love and word during the process. :) Its actually harder to be a shinning light in the everyday world than just on Halloween!