Why I Celebrate Halloween

I've written a post similar to this in year's past, but my thoughts on the matter have definitely matured and deepened over the years, so I am giving it another go.

I am a Christian. I celebrate Halloween. And I believe God is okay with that. Because I don't really celebrate Halloween in the way you may think - I celebrate the gifts He's given me....my beautiful kids, a chance to slow down, and lessons I'm able to pass on. I am a first generation Christian - all the traditions I make for my family, I'm the first. There is very little from my childhood I can pass on to my children. (Although there is some!) And I'm honored to have the chance to do that. 

One of the most beautiful things about Christianity (when done right), is it's all about relationship. You have a personal relationship with Christ, and that is expressed in so many ways. For me, I worship through dance, writing and guitar music around a campfire. Those are ways I connect with God.

For some, having a personal relationship with Christ and expressing that involves a large church service or a Wednesday night small group (oooh I like that one, too!). Some get out in nature (um, not me) and some serve on worship team (Not me either. You're welcome).

However you choose to express your love of Christ, as long as it obviously isn't unbiblical, God will confirm in your heart whether it's right. That's why I love days like today, where Christians all around me are reacting to Halloween in a wide variety of ways. Some are completely ignoring it - it's just another day. Some are going all out with elaborate house decor and costumed kiddos. Others fall somewhere in the middle. It truly seems to be a choose your own adventure for bible believing Christians. I love the diversity, the different takes on it, and seeing how people seek first and foremost to honor God in the way they believe is best.

For us, we sort of agree with everyone.

Our children dress up. 

Once you're done judging me and thinking about what a heathen mother I am, here is more detail.

Our children are not allowed to be anything scary. So far, this hasn't even been a point of contention. Sam is running around school in a police officer costume right now, his most intimidating weapon is a parking citation. Charlotte is in preschool dressed up as Minnie Mouse. They are small and they aren't going for the guts and gore yet.

When they do, it will not be allowed. We stick to cartoon characters and creativity. I have wildly creative children. To not allow them to express themselves in a costume on this day would not only (in my opinion) cease to really take any sort of stand for Christ, but it also makes them grow up to be disappointed and resentful when they are left out of something they love. I am the director of a theatre arts company - costuming and silliness are a big part of our life. Halloween isn't any different for us as it would be during a dance show or children's musical.

But, knowing that what you wear does define who you are to a point (unfortunately), our children do not wear anything offensive, violent, etc. Their costumes just portray gentleness, a helpful spirit or joy. So far, Sam has picked out two Yo Gabba Gabba characters (joy!), a zookeeper (helpful and gentle) and a police officer (hopefully helpful). Charlotte has gone for a ladybug, monkey and mouse. So far, so good ;)

Our children trick-or-treat.

Every year, trick-or-treating gives us an open door to our neighbors. They marvel at how big the kids have gotten, and then the momentum of that nighttime knock carries through the rest of the year. We build relationship, and it develops a chance to share God's love.

Our kids also "reverse" trick or treat. We load them up with plates of baked goods and they give some to all of the homes on our street they take candy to. They are being raised to learn that trick-or-treating is also about giving - not just getting.

Trick-or-treating is also a fantastic opportunity to speak to our children about how our bodies are temples, and we shouldn't dishonor God by filling it with junk. Candy is limited to one piece a day, for two weeks. A lot goes in the trash on November 13 (or more often Frank's stomach). We learn about health, and how amazing it is that God made our bodies capable of so much!

Our children carve pumpkins. 

I share with them the Pumpkin Gospel - about how God picks us especially, washes us clean, but cares most about our insides. He scoops up the goop of our past and then prepares us to shine his light. The kids are reminded that for every jack-o-lantern they see, they should aim to be someone who radiates the light of Christ from the inside out.

Our children do not watch scary movies. 

I can't watch them either! G-rated flicks all the way! Even those that contain magic or a dark villain - not likely it's gonna play in our house.

Our children do not go to the Halloween store. 

Costumes are homemade or purchased at Target....thankyouverymuch! That Spirit Halloween store is nuts. There are zombie babies, screaming corpses, electric chairs and torture chambers - all of which you must walk by in order to reach the children's costume section.

No thanks. Not going to plant that stuff in their minds. Sorry. I'm sure it's lots of fun there - but my mama's heart cannot handle it.

Our children do not decorate our house. 

We don't do Halloween decorations. In fact, we are that crappy house on the street with the bowl of candy out front with the sign that doesn't ever stop the first teenager that approaches it from dumping the entire thing in his/her bag.

We're too busy taking our kids to see neighbors, friends and family, scoring some free dessert for the next two weeks, and talking about ways we can shine for Christ every time we see a poor cut up pumpkin.

A lot of Christians decide to silently protest Halloween, and good for them. As for our home, we choose to redeem something in a world that completely belongs to the Lord. Just as a Christmas tree is a pagan symbol but every single Christian I know still puts one up.....we aren't going to give Satan the credit he wants when it comes to Halloween.

It's just a day. And we are confident in the ability to make it fun and meaningful in a way that honors God. 

So, just like every other day in my life, I long to please God by turning away from the scary darkness, and redeeming things for the Light instead.