“Let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." ~ Romans 13:12
Tea has always been the emblem of friendship
and peace. “Through tea make friends” is an old proverb expressing the
sentiments shared with tea.
And so, it was on that this October morning, with its crisp
air, vibrant leaves, and the anticipation of Halloween that Sandy and her
English friend Ella shared an amicable chat over a cup of Earl Grey. Their
conversations often drifted toward differences between their two cultures.
“Why do Americans celebrate Halloween in America?” asked
Ella curiously. “In England and most of Europe, it’s mostly ‘frowned upon’
by Christians as a day for recognizing Satan.”
Ella parried, “Aren’t you apprehensive about the holiday’s
origins and its association with the supernatural? To appease the gods, Celtic
priests built bonfires and sacrificed crops and animals. Villagers attended the
ceremonies wearing animal heads and skins, which is likely where the tradition
of Halloween costumes first originated."
“You’re right,” Sandy replied. “Halloween can be scary, but
it's also an opportunity to teach kids about overcoming fear.”
“We can remind our kids that God is always on our side. He
loves us deeply and wants to know us on a personal level. It's essential to
remind Christian kids that their faith in Jesus teaches them not to be afraid
of evil spirits or the darker aspects of Halloween.”
Note:
By 1000 A.D., All Souls' Day on November 2 served as a time for the
living to pray for the souls of the dead. All Saints' Day, or All
Hallows, honored the saints on November 1. That made October 31 All Hallows
Eve, which later became Halloween. Festivities honoring the dead are still
celebrated in Mexico, Italy, Guatemala, Japan, Ireland, and China.
“We do love Halloween, Ella,”
Sandy concluded, “and overindulge in outdoor decorations. But once each year we
show that no matter how we love to dress up as monsters, we’re still angels in
our childish souls.”
At the very least, Halloween provides a conversation starter
between you and your kids, or a neighbor, or even a co-worker. It offers a
unique opportunity for kids to be kids - share God’s goodness with their
friends, show Christian generosity, and emphasize that God is bigger than evil
spirits. His love and protection are always with us.
And maybe they’ll share some of their free candy with you.
Almighty Father, thank You for the joy that kids celebrate on this night. Please wrap Your arms around them, keep them safe from would-be wrongdoers, and let them bask in the glow of Your eternal light. Amen
