Monday, October 31, 2011

To Trick 'R Treat Or No?

Halloween.

It's become a widely discussed topic. More so among those of us with young children, who find this particular event a challenge when it comes to our christian living. Please don't take my view as offensive. I merely intend to share.

Growing up in Ireland, Halloween for us translated into wearing cheap, plastic masks, playing outside on the street at dark, and knocking on neighbours' doors for a couple of pennies. The treat of the day was a baked apple tart, with 10p wrapped in foil and hidden inside. It was excitement-on-the-edge if you happened to be the one to get the lucky slice! No costumes. No pumpkins. No candies. That evil was associated with this event? Totally unheard of.

Before I joined the Wilson clan, our boys were skilled trick 'r treaters. Costume-clad, they headed out at dusk to gather their candies. Then I was the one, watching these teenagers from the sidelines as the cute costumes were discarded, and their entire collection of firecrackers was used to blow up pumpkins and garbage cans. (Terribly sorry if that was your pumpkin or garbage can!) Thankfully, these little boys have outgrown their childishness and become responsible, mature men. They have, honest. But the point is, their Halloween participation every year did not have a detrimental impact on them.

That was then. This is now.

Is it evil that our girls wear their cute little costumes? Is it evil that they smile for treats from the neighbours?

We don't believe it is.

But we do believe there is evil in this world.

And we also believe it is mandatory to discuss with our children these vivid displays of evil at this time of year. Real forces of darkness run rampant in our world. And not just on October 31. Our Adversary, the Devil, continually walks around as a roaring lion, working against God and seeking to devour everything that is of Him. But our God is the Greater Power and we are called upon to resist the Devil, so that we may be stedfast in faith (1 Peter 5:7-9).

I agree that the evil aspect of Halloween is definitely more flagrant than in previous years. So many ghastly costumes for kids. Such graphic and repulsive store displays. With so much focus on all that is vile, I can imagine that the powers of darkness must be shrieking with delight. Chilling thought.

We do not dabble with evil. But the question remains. Should we or should we not?

This year, we've decided to continue with our tradition. Abhor the bad. Pursue the fun. Dress up. Bring in the candy. Here they are... Trick 'R Treaters, 2011.



And the co-ordinating neighbourhood besties... twin pumpkins...


 ... and twin pirates!


Even my fun-lovin' neighbour got into the game. She totally looked the part, and she was much easier to spot than that guy in the book!!


Will we trick 'r treat next year? Maybe. Maybe not.

But I'll definitely be buying the treats.

1 comment:

Elizabeth S-G said...

There are Christians I respect on both sides of this issue. We choose to not have anything to do with Halloween.
However, I really appreciate that you have hit on a key issue that I strongly believe is vital no matter what side of the issue one takes. You stated, "It is mandatory to discuss with our children these vivid displays of evil...". We have a responsibility to teach our children that Satan and his emissaries are very real EVERY day and we need to constantly be on our guard and resisting him. Praise God that "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world".