Halloween

Halloween can be traced back to the Samhain (pronounced “Sow-in”), an ancient Celtic festival (Irland) that marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. 2,000 years ago, Samhain was a time when they believed that the veil between the living and the dead was believed to be at its thinnest. The word "Samhain" comes from old Irish and means "summer's end."(according to google) Samhain has religious significance for Pagans and was originally celebrated by the Celts. Samhain was a Pagan holiday that is a time to honor their ancestors and reflect on their lives. During these celebrations and festivals, they would build altars, dance, Eat, and take nature walks. Altars would have included apples, pumpkins, or other fall crops to symbolize the end of the harvest, and skulls or skeletons to represent the spirits of the dead.

We know that Halloween is not originated back to Christ, most of our holidays are not. I looked up Christmas one year, it had me so shocked I skipped decorating my house and almost caused WW3 between my mom and I. (She loves Christmas). The festivals of this time and even when Christ came were to be a celebration, a party. These parties are of the world. Once we become saved does that mean that we can't enjoy any holiday because of where it originated from?

Ephesians says in verses 11-14: Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.

Some believe that means that you can not partake in holidays such as halloween because it is of darkness. Others think that what you do must be done in the light. That it must still be of God if we surrender it to him. Make God the focus point, change the direction of why we celebrate it, make Him the light in the dark. Most Churches will rename it to fall festival or carnival, but there are still pumpkins, dressing up, candy.  Pumpkins, do you know where the carving of the pumpkin came from? In Ireland they had a mythical story of a man named Sticky Jack. Even in this story there is mention of God, heaven and How if you don't repent and choose to live an Unrighteous life that you will be sent to Hell. This is just an old story that I am sure they would tell their kids, but even still God is the light in the darkness. 

1 John 1:5 says that God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. This makes me think, would Jesus have celebrated halloween if it was around then? Jesus is light, He is all things good. Hesen is the Greek word used in the book of Ruth to describe him, meaning all the characteristics of God. Peace, Love, Joy, faithfulness, self control and there is more. He is all that is good. I am not going to tell you where I stand, that's not the point of this. I wanted to educate you and let you make your own decision. 

• Romans 14:14

• "If someone believes it is wrong, then he shouldn't do it because for him it is wrong". 

• Romans 14:23

• "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin

Stand up for what you feel is right in your heart, and stop judging people for doing what they feel is right in theirs. I know this family who doesn't celebrate any holidays except the more christian ones. This means that her young child doesn't get Santa, or the easter bunny and they also put some Jewish traditions back into some of the celebrations. If this is what this family has agreed upon to keep themselves from sinning then who am I to judge them. On the other hand, I know an amazing lady who is a Godly woman, she offered my dying cousin her kidney and she didn't even know him. This woman is a faithful attender of a local church and her fruit bear the spirit. She has "scary " decorations all over her front yard. Yet so many Christians will persecute her for decorating her own yard. I do agree that we should stand apart, not be like the word; however it's her personal conviction. Not ours, We as christians need to focus on loving more. We need to stop being so judgmental and condemning others who might have different feelings. We are not all the same. We are the hands and feet of Christ. The hand does do the same operations as the feet, we are to work together and support one another. Peter 4:10, which says, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms". 

Lets not major in the Minor as my Pastor always says. Lets love each other, Support one another. See people through the filter of God. If you celebrate Halloween is between you and the Lord, just as anything else you do that may convict your heart. If you go against your heart or what the Bible strictly says to not do then you are sinning. 

Dear Controller of All, 

You are just that controller of everything, good, bad and in between. You know what is in my heart. You know when I am sinning and when my heart is pure, you know my intentions. God you are the light, you are all things that are good. You created the people who created these holidays. I pray that I will always look to you, when I am afraid, or sad, angry, or happy. I pray that you will light my dark path and that you will search my heart to know when I am wrong. I mess up every day and I know that you are a forgiving God. I know that if I ask you will redeem my soul and make me whiter than snow. God I pray that people will see the way you do. I pray that people will understand that you even have control on days like today, halloween. That what was meant for evil you turn it for good, you have proven this over and over. God I pray that I can be like the hands and feet with the christians around me, not judgemental or self righteous. I pray that we can give you the glory and see you in everything no matter what it is. I pray for safety because just as some choose to see you, others do the opposite, but God you are bigger than satan so you have control of them as well. I pray that we don't put you in a box, that we realize how strong you are, powerful and that you live in me, in all of us. God I thank you for never leaving and never giving up on us. I praise you and give you the honor and praise.

In Jesus Name, Amen