{"id":7190,"date":"2019-10-21T10:52:18","date_gmt":"2019-10-21T15:52:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedisciplemaker.org\/?p=7190"},"modified":"2019-10-21T10:52:18","modified_gmt":"2019-10-21T15:52:18","slug":"keeping-holy-in-halloween","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.navpress.com\/sites\/thedisciplemaker\/2019\/10\/keeping-holy-in-halloween\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways to Keep the “Holy” in “Halloween”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This article by Catherine McNiel was originally published on Awana.org<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

If you step into Walgreens or Target in October, one thing becomes crystal clear: we are about to be swept away in a storm of holiday decorations and candy. From Halloween to Christmas, and everything in between, it can all be a bit overwhelming. What do we really honor and celebrate? Are these truly \u201choly days\u201d (as the word \u201choliday\u201d suggests) or pure materialism?<\/p>\n\n\n

Most of the holidays we celebrate today\u2014including Halloween, Christmas, and Easter\u2014have complicated pasts, rooted in ancient times. Take Christmas for example. Long before Jesus was born, the ancient (northern) world celebrated the coming of light into darkness at the winter solstice: December 21st. When Christians made a \u201choly day\u201d commemorating the birth of Jesus\u2014the true Light coming into the world\u2014this pre-existing holiday season was the perfect time for the \u201cChrist-Mass.\u201d (Spoiler alert: Jesus wasn\u2019t actually born in December).<\/p>\n\n\n

Easter carries a similar history. The word \u201cEaster\u201d comes from the name of a pagan earth goddess who was celebrated in early spring when the dead world sprang into new life. This time, the early Christians had both historical dates and long-standing tradition on their side: Jesus was indeed crucified and raised from death during the springtime, ushering Creation to new life alongside the lambs and tulips. (Nicely played, God!)<\/p>\n\n\n

Halloween is no different. Agricultural societies throughout the ancient world observed the sun \u201cdying,\u201d the short, chilly days, the long, dark nights, the withering plants and leafless trees. The season of fall palpably reflected death and dying, and nearly all cultures commemorated this important season by memorializing death, speculating on the afterlife, remembering and honoring beloved family members who had gone before.<\/p>\n\n\n

Fast forward to the Christian era. When the church instituted a festival honoring the saints and martyrs, they naturally scheduled it during the season that honored the dead: All Saints\u2019 Day, November 1. The night before (October 31) was called \u201cAll Hallows\u2019 Eve\u201d \u2026 now nicknamed \u201cHalloween.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

Whatever your family (or church family) decides, here are five ways to keep the “holy” in “Halloween”.<\/p>

So that everyone feels included in the activities, have small toys and prizes from Awana on hand.<\/a> Make sure your house or event is safe for everyone. And if you\u2019re into the scary decorations, remember that children (and sometime their parents!) can be terrified by things that look funny to you.<\/p>\n\n\n

3. Build Community<\/h3>\n\n\n

The best thing about Halloween, in my opinion, is breaking out of our individualism and being with neighbors. When else do we knock on strangers\u2019 doors, exchanging treats and making small talk? Make the most of it! If you\u2019re celebrating at church instead of your city block, consider inviting some neighbors to come along.<\/p>\n\n\n

4. Remember the Saints<\/h3>\n\n\n

If we can keep Christ in Christmas, can we keep the holy in All Hallows\u2019 Eve? Consider adding a new tradition that looks back on church history and the amazing stories of men and women who followed Jesus\u2019 call to love without limits.<\/p>\n\n\n

5. Follow Jesus<\/h3>\n\n\n

Jesus was always reaching out to those on the margins. Who is left out, on this holiday, that you could include? Are there immigrants in your community who don\u2019t understand American traditions? Could you invite them over for a bowl of pumpkin soup?<\/p>\n\n\n

What about you? How does your church or family celebrate (or not) Halloween? What about other holidays? What steps do you take to keep Christ at the center of all the candy and materialism?<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Catherine<\/figure>
Catherine McNiel<\/span>

is a writer and speaker who seeks to open eyes to God\u2019s creative, redemptive work in each day\u2014while caring for three kids, two jobs, and one enormous garden. She\u2019s on the lookout for wisdom, beauty, and iced coffee. Catherine is the author of All Shall Be Well: Awakening to God’s Presence in His Messy, Abundant World<\/a><\/strong><\/em> and Long Days of Small Things: Motherhood as a Spiritual Discipline<\/a><\/strong><\/em> which was an ECPA finalist for New Author. Follow the book links to engage further and read the first chapters for free.<\/p>\n

More from Catherine<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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