Christians celebrating Halloween?

Wendy - posted on 11/09/2008

Trunk or Treat-Hello, everyone! I just joined, so sorry I'm so late on this one! But, I wanted to give you another option that our church did for the first time this year. I have heard of other churches around the country who have done it, so it's not an original idea. Our Missions Council asked everyone in the church to bring non-Halloween themed, wrapped candy to church during the weeks before the event. They also asked people in the church to bring their cars to the church on Halloween night. We lined up the "trunks" and decorated with a fall theme. We had 'flyered' the surrounding neighborhoods and advertised on our sign. It was a safe place for the neighborhood and church kids to get candy and Christian literature. In addition, we showed the "Jesus" film on a huge screen outside and had games for kids to play. We had about 35 cars and 150 "Trunk or Treat"ers. My 3-year old got to dress up as Thomas and I got him involved in handing out the candy to the kids as they went by. I taught him to say "Jesus loves you" to the kids as he handed out the candy and he really enjoyed it! I hope we continue this tradition for years to come. I am glad he had an opportunity to give instead of get on Halloween. I wouldn't have let him eat all that candy anyway!!! It has turned into a great ministry opportunity for our church. People who would never have come out for any other community event we tried to organize, brought their kids that night! Whew! Sorry so long!

Jennifer - posted on 11/08/2008

I think times have changed now and that its more for the kids to have fun and enjoy dressing up! We don't see as it being a dark holiday. Kids are more out for the candy then anything, but we being christians celebrated by dressing up as kids. I have enjoyed dressing my toddler up and handing candy out to the kids ; )

Cheryl - posted on 11/08/2008

I wondered about this too. We do celebrate Halloween, but it bothers me more and more every year. I have teens who have always celebrated Halloween because we weren't Christians when they were younger, and preschoolers who have always known a Christian life. I want to make sure they know that it's ALWAYS about Jesus regardless of the time of year. I love the ideas given here on how to make it more of a Fall celebration party that's more Christian based. We will be using those ideas next year!

Jana - posted on 11/07/2008

I grew up not celebrating it at all... and my hsuband grew up being allowed to go out. I have recently become so much more aware of what satan is doing to our world. I believe that halloween is a night with hidden agendas wheather or not we want to see them. The basis of the night is about honoring darkness. I personally chose not to par take in the things of this world and i know thats what God call us to do. We need to as Christians stay in the light. And when we are presented in situations where you feel as though it may be wrong we need to run. Do i think that the costumes are adorable absolutly... but i know that theres more to the night than costumes and candy. Its the meaning of what it all represents. I know that growing up i didnt understand why i could go out but now i understand and fully agree with my parents. Things we would do where fun family events or go to church nights where we could dress up but it an atmosphere where we were praising God, not par taking in a night that is to honor satan.

Therese - posted on 11/07/2008

Well, this is the first year that my husband and I didn't really celebrate Halloween. After I prayed a lot about it, we both got messages that Halloween was really not a good thing at all. However, my church hosted a Fall harvest festival which was an alternative. I think if the costumes stay NOT scary, then it would be o.k. Also, my pastor added that you could dress up as people in the bible. I wish I had thought about that sooner because I probably would have dressed my son and hubby up as David and Goliath. Hope this helps.

Lynn - posted on 11/07/2008

I grew up not celebrating halloween, but my parents always did something fun with us and gave us our candy!!! We believe that halloween is of thw devil and don't want to celebrate it in any way. I feel dressing up at all tells the world that we think that is all right and that we celebrate it. I try to do something with my kids now, and they always have candy. They seem to understand! It is harder and harder to find christians that take a stand agianst this evil day. I enjoy finding people that don't celebrate!

Wendi - posted on 11/05/2008

THANK U SO MUCH FOR UR COMMENT MAISHA!!!!!!!!



i'm glad my family is not the only one

Maisha - posted on 11/05/2008

If you go to the historychannel.com and look up halloween it tells you the origin of the practice. In my personal opinion it is not a tradition day that God would want us (Christians) to follow.

I grew up celebrating halloween so it was hard to not allow my children to do so. But I feel that it was necessary.

My advice (2cents worth) you and your hubby pray about it, do your research in the bible and in wordly books. Halloween is not one of those christian liberty tradtion days, it is a pagan celebration. I hope this helps.

Be blessed and encouraged,

Maisha

Devon - posted on 11/05/2008

Halloween in our house is nothing more then a fun day where our girls get to dress up in costumes, get free candy and a chance to meet our neighbors. we love it. Our girls arent allowed to dress up in scary costumes - no monsters, witches, or things like that.

Tracy - posted on 11/04/2008

My husband & I both grew up doing Halloween. My children participated in Halloween when they were. My only stipulation then was that they could not wear scary/evil costumes(I don't have a problem with costume parties perse). A little later I decided that maybe it was not a good idea. We would plan an alternated activity; one local church planned a safe indoor activities as an alternative. The kids still got their treat fix it's just not Halloween focused. They could even wear costumes if they wanted. Sometimes I wonder if it really mattered, and if I deprived them of childhood fun. Now as teens I leave it up to them to decide. Sometimes they go & sometimes they don't. It really is a tough question. I've done it both ways & I'm still not sure what is best. I suppose that you have to do whatever you are convinced in your own heart is right. I thought I was but now I don't know.

April - posted on 11/03/2008

I thought that it was okay. I had grown up with the idea of it not being "bad". However, being a mother now, and trying to do God's will for my family along with my husband we decided that it is wrong for us. However, our church has a harvest party, the kids dress up as a biblical character and we adults hand out candy. Todays society has perverted most everything. Halloween included. The girls outfits are promiscuous or skimpy and the boys seem to only have disgusting or gross costumes. Personally, I would rather enjoy seeing my children have fun,but definetly not be apart of this satanic rite. Isn't that what it is originally and currently standing for? Worship of evil. Like I said I thought it was okay once thinking that as long as I taught them differently they would just know...I'm not so sure anymore...It seems some never change from their costumes anymore.lol

Janet - posted on 11/03/2008

I've always disliked Halloween, but seeing the fun my daughter has dressing up and trick or treating is worth it. We always go to the house of a close friend and her family and have dinner with all the kids, trick or treat in the neighborhood and come back and have cider or cocoa. It's just a fun, relaxing evening the the kids and adults enjoy.

Sia - posted on 11/03/2008

We have kept our son out of school on Halloween day because I feel his school focuses too much on the scary "but child friendly" part. Some of the kids even dress up in scary costumes. One year a 4th grader dressed up as a "scream" character...blood and all. I love dress up clothes and do provide a fun stash for him to play with, (I also teach pre-k so I have a lot) I just wish we could have a regular costume day, not on Halloween so that all kids could participate. Who doesn't love to dress up?

Thanks for all your good advice.

Joan - posted on 11/03/2008

We never celebrated it growing up either. My parents always took us to Chuck E. Cheese on Halloween night. We really looked forward to the time spent together. My husband and I plan on doing the same for our kids in the next few years. They do celebrate Halloween somewhat at their daycare, but I never put much emphasis on it.

BreAnna - posted on 11/03/2008

I think this issue is a matter of personal conviction. I love the ideas these ladies have presented. We choose not to celebrate Halloween, but that is our personal preference. My kids enjoy dressing up, so sometimes I go buy costumes the day after Halloween so they can enjoy them all year and they are usually at least 50% cheaper!

Halloween is also Reformation Day, so if you are protestant, it is a great day to talk about our Christian heritage. I think no matter what your family chooses to do, do it to the glory of God. Celebrate what God celebrates, life!

Wendi - posted on 11/03/2008

yes i do

Amber - posted on 11/03/2008

I see where you are coming from and I admire you for sticking to your convictions, that is great. There are many people in my friends/family that don't agree with me and don't see the big deal, after all its only one night, right? WRONG. We also use this to teach our girls about the spiritual warfare aspect of the whole thing. When we see scary, demonic decorations and displays out in the community and stores we talk about why we fell the way we do about it and then we pray for those who do not understand and who sell and display those things. Sometimes I think that non christians respect your point of view because they don't understand where you are coming from at all so they don't/can't even go there as where christians see the issue from both sides, if I am making any sense here (at least I have found this to be true for me at times).

Wendi - posted on 11/03/2008

I just wish peep would understand my conviction of not doing halloween. I've come across that more and more christians read me the riots act instead of saying "good job for sticking to ur conviction". I've come to realize that unsaved people respect my decision more than christians. Y is this?

Amber - posted on 11/03/2008

We don't celebrate halloween but we DO dress up in costumes that Jesus would approve of (nothing scary or evil). We go to the church for the Harvest Party - which is a GREAT outreach tool - of your church doesn't already do it - they should look into it! We do pumpkins also and I absolutly LOVE the story Winnie told about Jesus taking all the yucky stuff out when you do your pumpkins.

LeighAnn - posted on 11/02/2008

I don't have a problem with dressing up and getting some candy if that's all you're doing for Halloween. Our church has a movie night. There's a little boy in my daughter's class who doesn't celebrate Halloween and he has to stand in the hall whenever they talk about dressing up or anything related to Halloween. If done correctly, it can be a great outreach opportunity. I think my kids need to be in the world but not of it. They can be involved in safe fun without being involved in the evil of Halloween.

Winnie - posted on 11/02/2008

oh definatly agree with you Wendi of staying within the wishes of your husband...very important. If it is something that he is convicted about, it is right in the Lord's sight. It is nice to see the love you have for him enough to honor him. That is such a blessing for the family

Mandy - posted on 11/02/2008

I agree with Winnie. Where I live is out in the country so if you want to trick or treat you'd have to drive 50 miles. Our community school has a party with games and a cake walk. Everyone brings a dish to share and at the end the grown ups sit in a circle and the kids trick or treat. It's a lot of fun without all the worry. It's alway's fun to dress up and just let the kids play.

Wendi - posted on 11/02/2008

That's good idea, Winnie.....



I might try that nxt yr. My church does a fall festival every yr on halloween. I understand being safe and being an outreach for the community. My husband feels really strong about churches and halloween mixing. B/c I love my husband, I respect his decision. Especially since he's the head of the house.

Winnie - posted on 11/02/2008

It is always fun to dress up in something silly for one day. We do celebrate Halloween, but in more of a Harvest Festival Celebration type of way. The rules are, nothing evil or scary for our costumes. I tell my son that no matter what, even we dress up to have fun, we always honor Jesus. There are a lot of churches who have a positive alternative to Halloween that you could visit, so that you are in a safe place, and getting candy. When we do our pumpkins, we tell our son that when we accept Jesus, He begins the work of taking all our "yucky" stuff out of our lives. This is right when we are taking out the seeds of the pumpkin. Then the design can be something silly, or even something that reminds us of Jesus. Then when we put the candles in, we tell him that we let our light shine for the Lord. So it is a positive thing and really a great opportunity to teach him about Jesus.

Wendi - posted on 11/02/2008

We don't celebrate. I grew up celebrating it but hubby didn't. Alot of friends & families don't agree w/our decision. It's really hard to keep this decision. My unsaved friends respect my decision more than my christian friends goooo figure lol