Once again we're enjoying a beautiful fall season. There is so much to do it's sometimes difficult choosing from among the options. What do you do each fall? Do you send your kids out to collect "Trick or Treat" candy? Some do. Some don't. It's a parent's prerogative.
Sheila and I opted-out of Halloween. It almost seems un-American, but that's what we did. We still do, opt-out that is. Can you imagine? Our children (probably scarred for life because they never went "Trick or Treating" - not even once), didn't even go to school on the day everyone dressed up for the holiday. The first year they were in school we didn't know the custom, so when people came to school with limbs hacked off, blood-stains, oozing puss, eye-balls dangling from empty sockets, hatchets in heads and monster masks, they were horrified. After that we pulled 'em out each year and created a fun day for the family to build good memories together. (It didn't seem they'd lose a lot of academic improvement if they missed out on everything the school had planned for them that day, so we tried to help them make strides in other ways.) Anyway, that was our family tradition. While almost everyone else celebrated Halloween, we celebrated our family. No big deal. That's just what we opted to do.
During this season I always get questions about Halloween. Better said, I get declarative statements that are veiled as questions. People aren't really asking; they're telling. For example:
"Do you think everyone participating in Halloween worships Satan?"
"Everyone?"
"Don't you think Halloween is the devil's holiday? Doesn't everyone participating in the devil's holiday worship Satan?"
That's a real exchange. No kidding. Someone actually said that to me. So, because I still need growth in my interpersonal relationship skills, I responded to this guy's statement/question with a question of my own.
"Do you think everyone who dresses up for Halloween is a Satan worshipper?"
He answered, "Absolutely."
"So do you think everyone who goes to church, and participates in one worship service each year, is a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ?"
"Of course not." he said.
"Then what's up with your incredibly judgmental, condemnatory and mean-spirited denunciation of nice people who dress up like a Hobo, or Robin Hood, or Cinderella and go to a party once year?"
He was shocked. I was ticked. His Christianity was offended. So was mine.
Who made us umpires, calling "balls and strikes" on everyone around us? Didn't Jesus call us to be HIS disciples? Hasn't God invited us to join HIM in HIS mission? And isn't HIS mission to seek and save the lost? What's up with merciless judgmentalism in a world that needs to experience God more than it needs to feel rejection by God's people?
I figured anything else I might say wouldn't add much value to the moment, so I wrapped up our brief conversation with a statement of my own.
"Back it down a notch buddy," I said.
And I walked away.
Whatever you do today, love one another. Sheila and I won't be celebrating Halloween, but whether you opt-in, or opt-out, love one another. God expects nothing less of HIS people.
Ephesians 4:1-2 - As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Great post with a great view..... I like it. We have yet to trick or treat with our kids, and I don't think we will start. Thanks!!
Posted by: Justin Moyer | October 31, 2011 at 07:28 PM
Loved what you wrote!! We never trick or treated growing up, and am thankful that my parents taught us that it's ok to be different. Love how all that matters is the heart of a person...Thank you for sharing all you did!!!!
Posted by: Jessica Stemm | October 31, 2011 at 08:48 PM
This is definitely a tough issue that I struggle with each year. Glad the kids are older now and it's not an issue.
I just try to follow Bill and Ted's advice, "Be excellent to each other." Bashing someone because they choose a different path then mine doesn't seem to follow that.
Posted by: Bill A | October 31, 2011 at 10:04 PM
Thanks Mark for such a bold, truthful and timely call to love well!
Posted by: Mark | October 31, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Agreed! I would add only two points...guarding our children's hearts is a call from God and observe the days (feats) God has asked us to observe, not our own festivals that He says He hates.
Posted by: Tanya Jones | November 01, 2011 at 07:58 AM
Brilliant! Thank you.
Posted by: Clare Loughrige | November 01, 2011 at 10:05 AM
I didn't celebrate Halloween.
I'm surprised to realize there are alot of Christians who did as well, and what's even more interesting, who didn't see anything wrong with it.
I do love, though I am surprised at times.
Posted by: OI | November 01, 2011 at 04:25 PM