As I have shared before, growing up in a small country setting had an abundance of influences along with superstitions. With that statement, a very authentic reality needs to be highlighted. That does not mean, all thoughts related to truth correctly! Each of us still needed to make informed decisions ourselves.
One cold October 31st, a small knock was heard from our front door. Normally, the doorbell was rung, but not this time. However, this afforded a much needed break from homework! All of my siblings must have had the same thoughts, because we all lined up behind our mother. As she opened the door, two very silent adults greeted us in Hobo clothes. We tried to talk to them… No Answers! What did they want? Food? Maybe newer clothes? My father was in the garage working on the family car—NO HELP FROM HIM!
We never thought about Halloween, because we did not celebrate it. However, other students at school did and went to Trick or Treat that same night. We were more fascinated by the free candy received by children in costumes. Dressing up would have been fun, if free candy came as an award, but all of the costumes needed were too costly. We were told that candy and costumes were not going to break the bank, but were not needed by a large family!
After a while, our silent Hobo greeters talked and revealed who they were. They were my aunt’s parents. What a fun evening! However, this made us really look at Halloween. Why was it okay for some children and not us? Eventually, my parents allowed us to participate in Halloween, but that was just because their children wanted to be like everyone else.
Our parents had won a huge battle of wills by making us look at what Halloween was about, and ironically, they did not even try!
Do not practice sorcery…
“Men and women among you who act as mediums or who consult the spirits of the dead must be put to death by stoning. They are guilty of a capital offense.” Leviticus 20:27 NLT
Have no fellowship…
Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. Ephesians 5:11 NLT
Be separate…
Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 2 Cor. 6:17 NLT
Is it not amazing how our Lord plans for all of the details in our lives? Somehow, we never do see that! Whenever our lives take a turn towards what we see as not good, like my parents not allowing us children to participate in Halloween, God is busy preparing us for the next phase of our existence.
So should we allow our children to celebrate Halloween? I think we need to study the history of Halloween so we are fully informed about what it’s all about. We need to look at God’s word, seek His council, and follow our convictions. We need to take into account our unique children, how they will be effected by it, what they can and cannot handle, and make sure that what we allow is age appropriate for their maturity level. We need to know what to allow them to participate in and what not to. In other words, if your church has an October Festival with games and candy, that might be ok. But allowing your kids to go to other secular Halloween parties, or scare houses, may not be ok. Allowing them to dress up as a princess or fireman, may be ok. But allowing them to dress up as a witch or devil, may not be.
In the end, parents have to use their best judgement based on many factors, especially their God given convictions.
