As Reina is getting older I am often faced with challenging questions that leads to meaningful conversations with her. Reina had a Halloween party scheduled on Friday at her school and we didn’t let her stay for the party because we don’t celebrate Halloween. So on our way back home from picking her up early from school Reina was telling me how the party is not anything scary or weird but just eating yummy treats and having fun. She was definitely disappointed that she was missing a good party. So I had to explain why we don’t celebrate Halloween and that I will make sure that she has more fun and better food at Fall Festival. I’m sure I will have to remind her and make sure that she fully understands as she gets older. For parents who are dealing with same issues, here is helpful information that we used to give out to the congregation.
NCFC does not believe that Christians should participate in the celebration of Halloween due to its origin and practices, which are contrary to the teachings of the Bible.
The custom of Halloween is traced to the Druid festival of the dead around 100 A.D. Samhain, a Druid god of the dead, was honored at Halloween in Britain, France, and the Celtic countries. Druids believed that souls of the dead returned to their former homes to be entertained by the living. Bonfires were built atop hills so they might find their way. Suitable food and shelter was provided for these spirits(“treat”) or else they would cast spells, cause havoc, destroy crops, or create terror as they haunted the living (“trick”). Many witches and Satan worshippers gather to continue the traditional practice of worshipping evil spirits on Halloween day even today.
When children dress up and knock on doors and ask for treats, they are mimicking the dead! The Bible instructs us to have nothing to do with the occult practices, the deeds of darkness (Deuteronomy 18:10-11). Some may say, “but we only do this for fun... we don’t practice witchcraft.” That which represents Satan and his domain cannot be handled or emulated “for fun”. Such participation places the participant in the forbidden enemy territory.
That is why NCFC insists on having our Fall Festival on Halloween night. We do not just tell our children not to participate in Halloween, but we offer them an exciting alternative to celebrate life and the Giver of Life, not death. So I hope you brought your entire family to this wonderful family event, and showed your support. If you missed it this year, make sure to plan ahead so you can attend next year. You will have so much fun, and your children will love you for it!
From Pastor Brian’s Heart
November 1, 2015