When I am asked what I think about Christians observing Halloween, (the Devil’s day), I have a simple answer. The Devil does not get a day.
Nearly every culture has an observance to mark the beginning of winter that is associated with death. Many of these observances also have some hint of the resurrection to come in the spring.
As Christianity spread, Christians have historically related these observances to the more hopeful promises of scripture. Thus began Halloween. Christians set up November 1 as a day of celebration called “All Saints Day,” to remember the contribution of great Christians of the past and our belief that they still live in heaven with Christ. The day before All Saints Day came to be known as All Hallows Eve, which was shortened in time to Halloween.
Over a period of time, Halloween has attracted practices that are reminders of the pagan observances it was supposed to replace. The dramatic affect of all of this has made Halloween of such importance that it now completely overshadows All Saints Day. We have all but forgotten what was intended to be a very important Christian holiday, (Holy-day).
Many Christians today point to the history of Halloween that is associated with paganism and say that Christians should have nothing to do with this day. Some will even go so far as to point to those cultures that use Halloween to focus on death, Satan, and witchcraft, and say that it is the Devil’s day. But, I have some questions for those people. Why does the Devil get a day? Is not every day the Lord’s?
When I was a kid growing up we did our trick or treating all in good fun. We dressed up as hobos, pirates, and firemen, and raided the neighbors for candy. There are many who dress up in costumes associated with the Devil and witchcraft and such. Some may even have a point about how the world views Halloween and we should never associate our observance with anything that actually promotes the enemy. However, having said that, I do not believe the Devil enjoys good clean fun. It does not support the enemy to hand out candy, especially when we include tracts and invitations to our church.
This is the day that the Lord has made, (even October 31). I will rejoice and be glad in it. So, Happy All Saints Day, and the day before it.
Bro. Robin
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Homecoming
It is interesting how a word can bring to mind such different images when it is used in different contexts. As I write this the town is getting ready for a parade, a team is getting ready for a football game, and our High School is getting ready to crown a Queen, all in honor of our High School football Homecoming. It is an exciting time for the town, students and alumni of the High School.
We have just completed a study on Wednesday nights of the book of Revelation. As I think about Homecoming my thoughts are drawn to a very different set of images. Revelation tells us of a Homecoming that we will all someday experience. There are some similarities. Instead of a Queen there will be a Bride. There will be a King and we will all be watching for the coming of the King, (of Kings). Instead of a parade there will be a great banquet. Instead of a game there will be a war, complete with a winning side and a losing side. The winners get invited to the wedding feast while the losers get thrown into a lake of fire.
Fortunately, the football game will not end like this, no matter what kind of thoughts we might have during the game.
When the players come to a football game they do not get to choose which side they are on when they get to the field. They make their choice long before the homecoming game. They have to choose before the first practice. They have to be a part of the team before they are allowed to play in the game.
Football Homecomings come and go. We look forward to them as much as we enjoy remembering them. It is fun but the pleasures, and the consequences, are only temporary. This is not true about the Homecoming in Heaven. Heaven’s Homecoming is eternal. We already know which side is going to win. But, we have to choose now which side we will represent.
Will I see you at the Banquet?
Bro. Robin
We have just completed a study on Wednesday nights of the book of Revelation. As I think about Homecoming my thoughts are drawn to a very different set of images. Revelation tells us of a Homecoming that we will all someday experience. There are some similarities. Instead of a Queen there will be a Bride. There will be a King and we will all be watching for the coming of the King, (of Kings). Instead of a parade there will be a great banquet. Instead of a game there will be a war, complete with a winning side and a losing side. The winners get invited to the wedding feast while the losers get thrown into a lake of fire.
Fortunately, the football game will not end like this, no matter what kind of thoughts we might have during the game.
When the players come to a football game they do not get to choose which side they are on when they get to the field. They make their choice long before the homecoming game. They have to choose before the first practice. They have to be a part of the team before they are allowed to play in the game.
Football Homecomings come and go. We look forward to them as much as we enjoy remembering them. It is fun but the pleasures, and the consequences, are only temporary. This is not true about the Homecoming in Heaven. Heaven’s Homecoming is eternal. We already know which side is going to win. But, we have to choose now which side we will represent.
Will I see you at the Banquet?
Bro. Robin
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