Halloween itself is not a Christian holiday but rather a worldly one, as is Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day. And as such is the case, this does not mean that we as Christians should avoid the day; instead, we choose how we engage. Scripture teaches us how to serve, and we can apply all we know on days like Halloween.
Of the three big holidays at year's end: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, the first gets the worst rep amongst Christians. There's plenty to enjoy in December and before that in November, but come October, we'd rather lock our doors than go anywhere on Halloween night. Blame the dark colors, scary masks, or Satan himself; some Christians view the holiday as patronage for what our faith deems evil. A few go so far as to say that engaging with anything horror opens up portals to the spiritual realm.
There's undoubtedly a relationship between horror and faith, apparent when you turn on any modern-day horror film. People disgrace and undermine the power of God almost every chance they get. The horror genre typically attracts atheists; if you want proof, visit a horror convention.
But is horror naturally opposed to God, or does this depend on the person wielding the genre?
Believe it or not, you can enjoy horror and faith at the same time. Bone Tomahawk (2015) was one film that did this well. Before that, people enjoyed the violent action film The Book of Eli (2010), a story about faith. But those are movies; what about Halloween?
Is the day an occasion for celebrating evil, worshiping spirits, and bringing honor to Satan? Or is Halloween an opportunity to serve our community with festive decorations, candy, and more? Let's answer the question, is it possible to have a Christian Halloween?
A Bitesize History of Halloween
Depending on who you ask, people will give you varying origin stories of Halloween. The truth is that our modern-day Halloween evolved from Samhain, an annual festival performed in ancient Celtic tradition. The Celts believed that the barrier between the natural and supernatural worlds was weakened during this time and, in response, dressed up and left offerings outside their villages to ward off spirits. However superstitious we judge the Celts to have been, some of us still cling to such silly superstitions.
Halloween further evolved into what we know today when Pope Gregory III deemed November 1st as All Saints Day during the eighth century, which incorporated some of the Celtic traditions. Soon, October 31st became All Hallow's Eve, then through the centuries, eventually what we call Halloween today.
But no matter how Halloween started, most of us see October 31st as a day that comes once a year and is replete with candy, pumpkins, costumes, and nothing more! The day brings opportunities to feed children, watch movies with friends, and pull off scare pranks on relatives. Serving others in these ways is not unbiblical; quite the contrary, actually.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Halloween itself is not a Christian holiday but rather a worldly one, as is Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day. And as such is the case, this does not mean that we as Christians should avoid the day; instead, we choose how we engage. Scripture teaches us how to serve, and we can apply all we know on days like Halloween. If you're ready to make the most out of this Halloween, here are several ways you can celebrate.
8 Ways Christians Can Celebrate Halloween
1. Serve Candy
What's Halloween without candy? Children will undoubtedly be stalking the neighborhood in search of those lit porch lights with a bucket of candy resting underneath. That's your sign and opportunity to offer some tasty treats to the young'uns. Give them something sweet and delicious, something chocolaty, or something sour. Regardless of your delectable choice, giving in this way showcases a sacrifice of both time and money.
2. Decorate
Another way to partake in the holiday is to set up decorations. Halloween doesn't have to be scary, though it can be. Or you could do something horror related that's also comical. Think Jack Skeleton or Beetlejuice.
3. Pick Up Trash
There's bound to be trash in the neighborhood following Halloween, maybe even in your place of work. Consider picking up trash left by someone else in an effort to keep your community and the environment clean.
4. Babysit
Sometimes kids lose their Halloween privilege. Sometimes they're just too young, and sometimes too old. If a parent needs a sitter, that's your chance to step in and provide a service, either for free or for a charge.
5. Visit Someone
If you're torn between going out and staying in because you want to do something fun but don't want to trick or treat, you could visit someone. Pay a surprise (or planned) visit to a friend, relative, or neighbor. Not everyone goes out on this night, so you won't be alone in not wanting to trick or treat.
6. Watch a Movie
Halloween night doesn't have to be an occasion for going out to a party or even for handing out candy. One way to spend the night is watching a movie on the couch, alone, or with another.
7. Monitor the Neighborhood
Halloween night brings a lot of children and parents from their homes to roam the neighborhood, all with an unquenchable appetite for candy. Unfortunately, this can also be a recipe for kidnapping and assaults. One way to defend your community is to keep a watchful eye, either as you walk with your kids or stay at home. See anything suspicious, say something.
8. Pray
Even if you decide to stay indoors on Halloween, you could, at the very least, pray. Pray for those in your community and abroad celebrating the holiday. Ask God to bless their safety while traveling and to recuperate their health after digesting all that candy.
Whether you like it or not, the time for pumpkin decorations, candy corn, and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" are here. You can choose to participate or choose to hide away. Choosing one over the other doesn't mean you're not a Christian, but it could prove limiting in how much you serve others. And if you're opposed to Halloween, ask yourself why. Do you know the history of the holiday? We don't need to hold on to any superstitions, not when Halloween proves to be a day unlike most where you can serve others and partake in a national community event. Considering all the suffering our nation has faced in recent years, serving in even a small way is bound to bring a smile to your face and someone else's.
The way I thought about a "healthy view" is being able to celebrate Halloween without taking things too far (i.e., you can celebrate Halloween without opening up your life to demonic ideas or forces). I think many Christians generalize Halloween as evil, to the point where they don't allow kids to trick or treat or look down on people who decorate for Halloween, etc. But having a "healthy view" of Halloween allows us to celebrate and enjoy all the festivities without condoning evil. The "Healthy" view may not be the best wording for that, so if you have other ideas, let me know.
LISTEN: Is Halloween Evil?
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group.
WATCH: 5 Things for Christians to Keep in Mind This Fall
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