Halloween...Celtic New Year...All Saints Eve...or something else?

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

The greatest weapon ever made...

"And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God has willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him-
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure:
One little word shall fell him." - Martin Luther (taken from his biography written by Roland Bainton, quoted in Desiring God by John Piper)

With all the ugly out there, it is hard sometimes for me to remember that the deed has already been done, so to speak. My hope and my promise in Christ is guaranteed, and nothing I do or don't do will ever change that. And not only do I have the promise- He has provide me with ammo against sin and evil- His Word. Every time I get discouraged, if I would just immediately pick up the Bible, I feel relief and peace, even if nothing in my environment has changed. Unfortunately, I usually have to whine and cry for a bit before realizing that- what a waste. :) Thank you, God- for giving me the weapons needed to fight the battle of the flesh, and the battle of the world. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

"The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statues of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and
altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey
than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward."
Psalm 19:7-11