In Fall 2013, I got to know of Halloween. Growing up in Ghana, any idea or thought of ever celebrating or dressing up like a dead person, ghost, witches and all sorts of scary figures could have led my parents to seek both emotional and spiritual counseling for me. Who wants to walk about looking like a blood sucking demon in my community? The next day, you would probably find yourself at the mental hospital. Over the years, moving from Norway, to the UK and to Canada, I have identified that Halloween is much bigger than I thought. My exposure in Norway was just a tip of the iceberg. Last year, after the Halloween celebration, it took my husband and I months to assure my daughter that there are no vampires, witches and ghosts in her room. We did not celebrate Halloween at home, she got these ideas from school. Today is another celebration of Halloween and her school is hosting a Halloween parade. It just occurred to me that as a family, we have not had any conversation with her on Halloween and what it stands for. I believe many Christian families are in the same shoes. We have not taken time to talk to our children about Halloween and what the Bible says about evil spirits.
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Colossians 2:15)
Halloween originally began as a prequel to All Saints’ Day, or Hallows’ Day. This was a religious feast intended to celebrate the honour of saints. The November 1st celebration was not intended to celebrate witches, ghosts, demons, vampires and all kinds of bad guys. Over the years, the feast has lost its significance in most homes and we have rather preferred Halloween which is business-wise lucrative, and treats (candy) and costume companies have made it more popular than it was. What does the Bible say about our victory of principalities and powers? Colossians 2:13-15 states that “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.“
Jesus has triumphed over sin, death, evil spirits and all forces of darkness. Satan is permanently defeated. Satan is the thief whose agenda is to steal and kill and destroy. Through Jesus, we have life and we have it to the full (see John 10:10).
In the same way, the chains of sins have been broken for those who come to Jesus and make Him the Lord and Saviour. Jesus’ redeeming death has rescued us from the evil forces. The evil was nailed to the cross. We do not need to dress like demons to scare the demons away. Jesus has already paid the price for that. However, the redeeming death of Jesus will only be able to rescue one from the forces of darkness when an intentional decision is made to accept Jesus (Romans 10:9-10). We are in the world and as such, whatever is done in the world would directly or indirectly affect us. Instead of running away from Halloween, let us start a conversation about the redeeming work of Jesus. Don’t just give candy…trick or treat. Share Jesus. Have flyers to give to your neighbours. Don’t run away from Halloween, begin a Jesus-has-already-won conversation. Our children deserve to know the truth from us before the world puts fear in them.
This song reminds me of our victory in Christ.
My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device nor creed;
I trust the Ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
Refrain:
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out. [Refrain]
My heart is leaning on the Word,
The written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s name,
Salvation through His blood. [Refrain]
My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave. [Refrain]
(Lidie H. Edmunds)
Halloween or He has won: Trick or share?
Don’t just give candy…trick or treat. Share Jesus. Have flyers to give to your neighbours. Don’t run away from Halloween, begin a Jesus-has-already-won conversation. Our children deserve to know the truth from us before the world puts fear in them.
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