Should a Christian Celebrate Halloween?!!

It’s the end of October.  Fall is beginning to show in full force as the leaves change quickly, the World Series - an end to our national pastime (Congratulations RedSoxs fans!), and Halloween sends us to the store for last-minute candy.
Many churches and Christians don’t like Halloween. And to offset Halloween, several churches sponsor trunk or treat and parties of their own to try and lure kids away from the traditions of Halloween. But why? Isn’t it all just harmless fun?
Although Halloween has come to be thought of as a night of fun, superstitious spells, and eerie games that people take only as superstitious nonsense, it origins is just the opposite.  Halloween practices began more than 2,500 years ago with Festival of Samhain, otherwise known as the Day of the Dead, or Dia de Muertos.
Many of the Halloween customs that we now practice came from a pagan order of priests called Druids. The Druids would dress up in dark robes (costumes) and go from house to house to collect food for their dead spirits (treat). If you did not have what they wanted, your household could be cursed or, even worse, a loved one would be taken for a human sacrifice (trick). They even carried lanterns with them, made from hollowed-out turnips or gourds with and oil lamp inside and the face of the evil spirit that guides them carved into it. This evil spirit was named Jock of the lantern (or Jack-O- Lantern).
In the eighth century, the Pope, in an attempt to get the people to give up the Festival of Samhain, established All Saints Day on November 1. All Saints Day came to called All Halloweds, since it was a day to worship all the hallowed ones. Since the Day of the Dead occurred the day before, it came to be called All Halloweds Evening, later Hallows E’en, and finally Halloween.
Obviously, Halloween has an evil origin, which is why most churches probably frown upon it. After all the Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:22, “Avoid every kind of evil”.
The Bible tells us to avoid the practices that Halloween promotes. “When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)
I’m not against Halloween, but I am against the evil that it stands for. If you don’t believe me, then look in the newspaper or listen to the evening news on November 1. You’ll hear all about it. Is it any wonder what Paul was talking about when he said, “You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.”? (Galatians 4:10-11)
The Bible states in  Matthew 5:16:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
The famous Bible teacher J. Vernon McGee wrote, “Being a light means giving out the Word of God in one way or another. This doesn’t mean that you should be quoting Scripture all the time, but it does mean that you are to share the light that God has given you. It is very easy to cultivate some person, then quietly and graciously introduce them to a Bible-teaching church or radio program. There are many ways in which you can be light in the world.”
It’s necessary to have that quiet, personal relationship with God, but you must also live openly in such a way that others may see actions that show God’s love and goodness and bring Him praise. That’s what letting your light shine is all about.
The holiday season is nearly here, starting with Halloween on October 31. This time of the year provides you with multiply opportunities to let the light of God shine through you.

What can Christians do on Halloween?

Every community needs churches to put on “Hell House” or “Judgment House” productions ,“Trunk or Treats” to counter the haunted houses. Make sure your home is well lit and inviting for children out trick or treating. In addition to candy, give them a gospel tract. Also, pray with each group of kids before they leave. If you don’t know where to get tracts, you can order from one of my favorites at www.chick.com .

NO CHILD SHOULD COME TO YOUR HOME AND LEAVE WITHOUT KNOWING THAT JESUS IS LORD!
For those with children, go ahead and take them out trick-or-treating! They can dress up as Bible characters. Let them go door to door for candy, BUT, in return for the candy, they should give the homeowner a tract. GOD CAN USE THESE CHILDREN TO HELP SPREAD THE
God can use these children to share the hope and love of Christ with people that will never hear the message any other way. DON’T UNDERESTIMATE HOW GOD CAN USE THE CHILDREN ON THIS NIGHT!!!
There is no reason a Christian should have to fear Halloween, nor is there any reason a Christian should have to participate in the way the world celebrates Halloween. It actually is a perfect opportunity to go on the offensive and make this a day to celebrate witnessing our faith to this lost and dying world.