Halloween is about as orange a holiday as you can find. It’s that time of the year again! Halloween or All Hallows Eve is the day before All Saints Day.
What does it all mean?
The history of the holiday goes back into Ireland with the druidic celebrate of the fall festival of Sam Hain. There was (and still isn’t) nothing Christian about this pagan festival. The idea was that on this day the spirit world was closer to the physical/mortal world. That meant different activities had the potential to involve spirits! The Christian church tried to wrap Sam Hain into a Christian holiday – hijack it – empty it of its pagan meaning with wholesome Christian stuff. November 1st is, of course, All Saints Day. All Saints Day is a day to remember those who have died and are now by our Lord’s side in glory. The day before All Saints Day is, October 31st, All Saints Day Eve. All Saints day could also be All Hallows Day. So… All Hallows Eve became Halloween.
The Day of the Dead
Dia de Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that had its roots in Christianity. All Saints Day is November 1st. November 2nd is All Souls Day. This involved the practice of purgatory. You end up with similar traditions surrounding all souls day as with Sam Hain. The dead, not quite in heaven because of purgatory, come closer to earth and so we leave out marigolds and Pan de Muertos. You’ll see more of this in the public schools. I don’t think it’s any worse or better than Halloween. I’m sure both of them can be taken too far.
Should I?
Should you and your family participate in these fall festivals? That’s a conversation for your family. Our church does offer a Trunk or Treat annually where we invite the community to get to know our church family a little. We will always try to shine the light of Jesus on this dark holiday.
Please click HERE for the Bible class slides.
Want to hear more? Watch this week’s study on Halloween.