Is it Possible to Have a "Christian" Halloween?
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
