Halloween...Whose Celebration Is It?

Author: Pastor Dave Berg
October 08, 2013

What is Halloween or Samhain?  What does it represent?  What should the Christian think about it?

 

Please consider these important facts...


ON HALLOWEEN. . .


The Passover Celebration in a Jewish home begins when the youngest son asks his father, “Daddy, why is this night different from all other nights?  Then the father tells him of the mighty works of God surrounding the Exodus of Egypt.  But what would you say if your child were to ask you about Halloween?  “Why is this night so different from all other nights?”  Some people may wonder why children should be deprived of all the fun and excitement of a holiday that is a special time for them.  The spirit world is a real world, though, and there are spirits of good and there are evil spirits.  All Hallow’s Eve on October 31st, now called Halloween, originated in, and today derives its impetus, from the mystical, magical and superstitious — the evil.  Witches have eight major  festivals throughout the year.  Four are the solar festivals:  one at both equinoxes, and one at both soltices.  The other four occur almost mid-point between the solar festivals.  The most famous of these are Samhain (Halloween to non-witches) and Beltane, May Day.  "Samhain, or Halloween, is the beginning of our New Year, and is the time when we can effectively communicate with the dead" (quoted from  “Do You Know What a Witch Can Do?” State Times, Fun Section, May 13, 1983).  The deception of Halloween is something that we, as Christians, need to be warned about.  The Word of God says, “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.  I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”


WHAT HALLOWEEN REPRESENTS. . .


It comes as quite a surprise to discover that this celebration pre-dates the Christian church by several centuries.  It goes back to a practice of the ancient Druids in Britain, France,  Germany and the Celtic countries who lived hundreds of years before Christ was born.  This celebration honored their deity, Samhain, the Lord of the Dead.  Samhain called together all the wicked souls who had died within the year and had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals.  The date for this celebration was the last day of October, the eve of the Celtic New Year.  It was a time of falling leaves and seasonal decay and seemed appropriate to celebrate death.  That is what it was — a celebration of death.  It honored the god of the dead and the wicked spirits of the dead.  The Druids believed that on this particular night, the souls of the dead returned to their former homes to be entertained by the living.  If acceptable food and shelter were not provided, these evil spirits would cast spells, cause havoc and terror,  and haunt and torment the living.  They demanded to be appeased.  Look closely!  Here is the beginning of “trick or treat.”  If these evil spirits didn't receive what they demanded, you would get a “trick.”  Jack-O-Lanterns are a symbol of a godless superstition.  A man named Jack was unable to enter hell because he played practical jokes on Satan.  So he had to walk the earth with his lantern until Judgment Day.  The black cats of Halloween were thought to be human beings who were changed as a punishment for evil.

“This celebration 

honored their deity, Samhain, the Lord of

 the Dead.”


WHAT IS THE REAL ISSUE. . .


In the day and age in which we live, we as Christians must be very careful that we do not compromise our activities — especially when they directly contradict Scripture.  The Scripture is clear in its direction to a Christian in dealing with the powers of darkness that perpetrate evil.  “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”   Christ’s terse statement to Peter, “Get thee behind Me Satan!,” made no allowance for discussion.  James briefly states, “resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  Additional Scriptures would only further emphasize how little time we should give to Satan.  Yes, we are all to be aware of the enemy.  “We are not fighting against flesh and blood.  We are to put on the whole armor of God for this spiritual warfare.”


We must focus on Light.  The early Israelites were warned that, "When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.  There shall not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination.  Or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.  For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord:  and because of these abominations the Lord Thy God doth drive them out from before thee.  Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.  For these nations, which thou possess, hearkened unto observers of time and unto diviners:  but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.


To me, Halloween is a dangerous time for young children to be out on the streets.  Therefore, I encourage parents to provide an alternative that has nothing to do with supporting the typical traditions of Halloween, and which provides a godly alternative. This year we have such an alterative called,  “Harvest Celebration."  This event will feature all sorts of games, activities, concessions, candy, food, and live music for the entire family.  Join us on October 31st from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. for this alternative to the pagan holiday that the world celebrates.
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