Americans plan to spend $6.9 billion this year for Halloween. I’ll be honest this is rather creepy!
The Halloween decorations have been in all the stores since August around here. And I must admit I am completely appalled yet very amazed by the “celebration of death and darkness.”
During this beautiful time of year with the crisp cool air, and the beautiful scenery that bestows us with God’s amazing colors of creation, our American culture and many others around the world will be celebrating so much death and darkness. It’s as if we are blinded with evil. Are we really unable to fix our eyes on the lovely?
Skeletons dangle from front porches, sheet ghosts cover the front lawns, stores extend witches from their front windows. Mock graveyards fill the parks. Many of the costumes are ghastly and evil looking. Everywhere we go – we observe frightening Halloween images.
Trick or Treating for our family has never been something we’ve ever considered doing. We feel as if we are participating or helping celebrate evil. It’s just a choice we’ve made. Choosing to dress up and gobble down candy is innocent or, is it?
Even if the costumes don’t portray it. The lawns and homes visited, and the people we encounter do. How does the world know we are doing things differently? Or do they?
In the long run – our family has taken the road less traveled, so to speak. In many areas of our life – this is just one of them. We’re weird, we’re different, and we often times are wrong. And we know that! And we don’t think we’re better than those who choose to celebrate. Our family has just chosen not to participate in Halloween or the festivities or traditions that come with it.
Yes, we’ve considered the advantages of “witnessing” to those trick or treaters who would visit our doorstep. But, we believe that a better time and place would be more
profitable.
profitable.
My husband brings up an interesting aspect to trick or treating – it makes me chuckle but has so much truth: “We teach our children to NOT take candy from strangers. And there you have it, parents contradicting themselves.” ::snicker::
As parents of our children – we in no way want to contradict our believes with our actions.
If we want our children to stand up for what is good and right, and we turn around and celebrate it, will we soon be sowing seeds of confusion and doubt? {Same goes for other holidays – but that will be for later posts.} ::grin::
At this moment in our lives, my husband and I have decided that there is too much history of evil portrayed to even consider celebrating such a day. You may think our family is being legalistic; but we aren’t shoving what we’ve found to be true down anyone’s throat, nor do we say – it is best for your family. Biblically speaking – Halloween as a day, is not even mentioned in the Bible, though witchcraft and evil is. We’d rather celebrate life & light.
We’re still learning and still paving the path as we raise our children. And boy do we make some ugly mistakes. But we learn and grow as we go. We don’t expect anyone to go along or follow in our footsteps. But, as we journey on following the Lord while raising our children up in truth. We at this time believe we’re making the best decision for our family. I pray you are too!
My husband and I have been doing some history research on ALL the holiday celebrations of the United States. WOW, is it amazing! We’re learning lots! And we’d love to encourage you and your family to do a little research too. You may be surprised!
Learning the history and where something originates is absolutely important to have a firm foundation. Relationships, families, churches, communities, and countries need strong foundations to grow stronger.
Are you building your home on a solid foundation?
If you haven’t yet decided how your family will celebrate or not celebrate Halloween – or any other holiday for that matter…
We would like to encourage you to:
- Study the history behind the holiday(s)
- Study the pros and the cons
- Pray about it
- Have an open mind to whatever direction the Lord would have your family to go
During this Holiday while so many focus on death and darkness – we as Christians are commanded to focus our hearts and minds on light. His light.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. Eph. 8-10
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. Phil. 4:8
I’d love to encourage you to look for practical ways to celebrate life & light. Share in the comments section how you and your family celebrate or choose not to celebrate Halloween.
What are some ways you celebrate life & light?
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