It's a love/ hate thing
Halloween...
When I was a kid, I loved it. I watched monster/ horror movies as often as I could (which wasn't very often... I even petitioned the 3 major networks to get them to show them more often). I would spend goobers of time making costumes (I made a cool Frankenstein mask out of paper mache once). I got skilled at carving pumpkins (even won a contest once).
Then I became a Christian.
As a believer, I didn't need anyone to educate me to the fact that Halloween celebrates things that are contrary to the things of Christ. Halloween focuses on fear, wickedness, evil, violence and such. Not the kind of things you find listed among the fruit of the Spirit.
Also, early in my walk, I heard testimonies of a former Satanist about the kinds of things they did during Halloween. Their rituals, sacrifices, and such were not something I wanted to even tacitly endorse. As I learned more about the roots and symbolism of Halloween, I scrapped the thing altogether, except for an occasional Harvest or Costume party as an outreach event.
Then I had kids.
It didn't take my kids long to figure out that Halloween meant dressing up and getting candy (both of which are big hits with kids). And over the years, their innocent enthusiasm for Halloween began to break me down. So as I type up this blog my kids are out trick or treating.
Am I spineless? Did I sell out to the Devil? Not quite. You see, my kids reverse Trick or Treat (or, in other words, "Trick we're treating!"). You see, Satan loves to take what is good and make it bad. So I decided to take what is bad and make it good. My kids don't dress up as devils or evil monsters. They are kings, and princesses... and Jedi masters (sigh). And they give instead of take (or trade as the case may be).
So Happy (reverse) Halloween... it's the season of giving!
Comments
I'm glad to see the topic of this post is on halloween and not the issue of having children. =)
Posted by: TJ Lyttle at October 31, 2006 09:57 PMThat's a great idea! But you left out what your kids give out to the houses they visit. Is it candy? If it is, forgive me for pointing this out but how many households would like to take in even more candy when, for example, we have plenty left over ourselves? I think it's a great idea, I'd just like an idea of what to give back that a household would appreciate.
Posted by: Scott at November 1, 2006 08:57 AMIt is candy, Scott. We've found that many student households didn't think about getting mountains of candy for Halloween trick or treaters, and so their initial uncomfortability when the kids shows up turns to pleasant surprise when we give them candy.
I can see your thought of candy not being so well received in a more traditional neighborhood. We talked about including tracks (I made one once) with our candy, but other than that we don't have any unique ideas.
OK Thanks! That's something to think about... maybe car-wash coupons or something (although those are a little expensive, too).
Posted by: Scott at November 2, 2006 10:57 AM