Whoooweee. What an email fest the last couple of weeks have been. Between the homeschool groups I still follow and the blogs, I can't believe the battles I read regarding Halloween. To celebrate, to avoid, to substitute? Apparently, that was the question.
I read a quote from one columist who stated "There is no lasting benefit to ignore a holiday that exists around us, but it also does harm to celebrate Halloween as it has originated and grown over the centuries." I have tended to agree with that over the years, knowing it would do no good to pretend there was no such thing as Halloween, but also not wanting to glorify all that was evil about it. Now that my kids are older and scary movies seem to be the new cool thing- how do I allow them room to make their own choices, and yet still teach them to avoid the very real, very terrible spiritual world of Satan and his demons? Our TAG group is studying the lies we believe about Satan this week, and as I watched 6 year olds walk up to my door with bloody knives and horrific, scary masks- I realized how prevalent the belief that "the boogieman isn't real" is in America. Now, I don't really believe in the "boogieman", but the Bible makes it very clear that there is a spiritual force in this world trying to SUCK our eternal lives away, and for Christians, destroy our faith and relationship with Jesus. So, do we avoid Halloween because of it's meaning and origins, or can we make it something else?
I truly don't have an answer as of yet. I am always going to do everything I can to bring glory to God, and I think my "Candy Corn Princess" and my "Super Mario" aren't promoting the Wiccan religion by dressing up for Halloween. But I can't say that the "holiday" is very comfortable for me, and in all honesty...I am glad it is over. Maybe God will reveal a more clear option to me by next October 31st.
On a side note- I love how our Christian brother and sister in Slovenia celebrated Halloween. Read their blog for the full story (www.teamwynnfamilyblog.blogspot.com), but since Halloween isn't a big deal in that country...they chose to celebrate Reformation Day! It marks the anniversary of Martin Luther's 95 Theses being nailed to the door...and the beginning of Protestantism (I love making up words). They dressed their toddler up as Martin Luther and taught him how to "ding dong ditch" as they left little presents on the doormats of friends. I love it!
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
3 comments:
Sorry about the small pics of Jordan. I stole them off our Youth Leader's facebook, so once I can convince her to email them to me, I will update it. The funniest part was Jordan and Daniel dressed up exactly like this when they were like 9, Mario and Luigi- and now as high schoolers...they rocked the partnership again! It was hilarious, and they so totally fit the parts. :)
I enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks for helping the kids to have a special day! They love their aunty naynay soo much.
Ohhhh I just love reading your blog! I need to write you a big long email, but for now just know that you encourage me so much with your words and pics and insights. Thanks thanks thanks!!
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