Halloween is especially difficult for Christian families with Kids, but why? Well, it’s a Pagan holiday! So, what’s the big deal? Did you know that Christmas and Easter also find their roots in Pagan holidays that have been “Christianized”? So what’s a Christian to do? Listen to this podcast from Manly Training Ministries and find out how God wants us to treat Halloween. You may be surprised!

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Then go, and be light in this world of darkness!

FACTS ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF HALLOWEEN

Where did Halloween Originate?

In the early days of England, there was a kind of witchcraft known as Druidism. The Druids were called “men of the oaks” and were a strange clan of men who dressed in white robes. The Druids worshipped Cernnunos, the “horned hunter of the night.“ Halloween was sacred to the Druids because their sun-god receded to the underworld on October 31st, which is why darkness increased and light decreased according to their reckoning.

Trick or Treat!

As darkness set in on October 31st, the clan of Druids would put on their white robes and hoods. They would carry sickles and Celtic crosses as they began a torchlight procession. At the beginning of the procession, a male slave was killed and dragged by a rope fastened to his left ankle. The Druids would walk until they came to a house or a village where they shouted the equivalent of “trick or treat.”

The treat was a slave girl or any female to be given to the Druids. If the people refused to give them a girl as a “treat”, blood was taken from the dead slave and used to draw a hexagram or six-pointed star on the door or wall of the village. Spirits of the “horned hunter of the night” were invoked by the Druids to kill someone in that house or village by fear that night.

The Jack-O-Lantern

If the house or village gave a girl as a “treat”, the Druids put a pumpkin with a face carved in it in front of the door or gate of that place. Inside the pumpkin was a candle made of human tallow to keep evil spirits away. Thus, the Jack-O-Lantern was and is a sign that you have cooperated with Satan.

The bonefire

The treats or female victims were taken to Stonehenge where they were raped and killed and then sacrificed on the sacred bonefire until only glowing embers were left. Yes, bone-fire is correct, I did not misspell it. It was a fire that was fueled by human bones! The “bonefire” is the origin of the modern day bonfire. As a matter of luck for winter survival, all villagers were expected to use the glowing embers of the bonefire to light their hearths.

As we can clearly see, Halloween is not harmless. Satan has people in our modern era mimicking the witches and Druids of old. All of this is cursed of God. We live in a time when witchcraft is being revived. Movies are filled with witchcraft and numerous television programs highlight occult practices.

Now that you know what the origin of our Halloween tradition are, it’s up to you whether you participate or not. There’s nothing inherently evil about candy, costumes, or trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, going to a “Trunk or Treat” or any other safe alternative for Halloween. In fact, all of that can provide a unique gospel opportunity with neighbors. Even handing out candy to neighborhood children (provided you’re not stingy) can improve your reputation among the kids. As long as the costumes are innocent and the behavior does not dishonor Christ, trick-or-treating can be used to further gospel interests.

Honor God

Ultimately, Christian participation in Halloween is a matter of conscience before God. Whatever level of Halloween participation you choose, you must honor God by keeping yourself separate from the world and by showing mercy to those who are perishing. Halloween provides the Christian with the opportunity to accomplish both of those things in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s a message that is holy, set apart from the world; it’s a message that is the very mercy of a forgiving God. What better time of the year is there to share such a message than Halloween?

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Eduardo Quintana is also featured as an author on Lightworkers Media