Halloween is so engrained in our American culture that it is so difficult to go against the flow of it. Our culture just thinks it's a fun night to dress up, get candy and pretend scariness. The sutleness that evil lures children is so benign at times. Who could get upset about candy and a little dress up fun? I guess I do. I wrestle with what is the Christian perspective on this holiday that promotes more evil than righteousness. We haven't really had an issue with it, until now. With my two oldest in kindergarten, they have been so exposed to their friends thoughts and ideas about halloween. And boy do those 5 an 6 year old have ideas! Plus the ride home from school affords them the opportunity to see all the houses dressed in ghoulish decorations.
This year we tried to break up the word Halloween and discussed that "hallow" was another word for "holy" as in the "Our Father, hallowed be thy name". We tried to emphasized that it was the holy eve before All Saints and then helped them understand who the Saints were. Our kids all have Saints with their namesake so we told them the stories of these great martyrs.
We did carve pumpkins, but we used them as night lights in their rooms with battery operated tealights. We don't go door-to-door trick or treating, but we do try to attend a church sponsored fall festival. (When Xavi was 3 we went to a church "trunk or treat" where Xavi met his first witch) This year we didn't go to one. But we did go to Publix on Halloween and played games and ate ice cream and cookies. It was labeled as a halloween event, so I felt I did compromise a little this year. I drowned out my guilty with candy...
Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn't mean that we should have to compromise our beliefs. As much as I can teach this lesson to my little ones, the more I hope and pray that these experiences will help strengthen thier resolve and grow their faith.
2 comments:
Great post. It's always a struggle for me. I grew up trick or treating with the excitement of waiting for the sun to set and go collect candy. So I have fond memories, but as an adult I've learned the core meaning about it and I am torn between the fond childhood excitement versus the truth. We sit outside and give out candy talking to neighbors as the wander around and visit with them, it's the one time of year that there is a sense of community outside, but still I know the truth....see I'm torn.....
Yes, I have the same fond halloween memories. It didn't harm me so why would it harm my kids. It is so conflicting.
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