The History of Halloween
Halloween means All Hallows Eve, or the night before the All Hallows which is also called All Saints Day, and is observed on November 1. In old English the word "Hallow" meant "sanctify." Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherans used to observe All Hallows Day to honor all Saints in heaven. The Witches' New Year is also celebrated on the 31st of October.Going back even farther, in the 5th century BC, the Celts' summer officially ended on October 31. The holiday celebration was called Samhain which meant the Celtic New Year. On October 31st, after the crops were all harvested and stored for the upcoming winter, the cooking fires in the homes would be extinguished. The Druids, (the Celtic priests), would meet on the hilltop in an oak forest (oak trees were thought to be sacred). The Druids would light new fires and offer sacrifices of crops and animals. As they danced around the fires, the summer would end and winter (with its darkness and cold) would begin. The following morning the Druids would give an ember from their fires to each family who would then take them home to start new cooking fires. These fires would keep the homes warm and were said to keep them free from evil spirits.
Modern Halloween traditions were brought to the US in the mid-1800s by Irish immigrants. For little kids in the 21st Century, Halloween is about dressing up in costume and getting candy from neighbors as their treat.
The Halloween Debate
In today's culture, Halloween is a hotly debated subject among Christians. Some feel like there is nothing wrong with letting their children dress up and go to neighbors to get candy. Others feel like the origins of the day and the "pagan connotation" overshadows all else, so letting children celebrate is inviting evil in, regardless of the religious beliefs of the family. Some people have even gone so far as to avoid church "Harvest Festivals" that are held on or around the 31st as an alternative to Halloween because they feel like that their attendance is a way of telling their kids that they are missing out on something, thus there is a need for a substitute.
Christian Artists Share Their Thoughts
In this feature, several Christian artists have shared their feelings about Halloween and/or their memories of Halloween from their own childhood times.
- Adam McInnis - Christian Solo Artist
- Benjah - Christian Solo Artist
- Bobby Bishop - Christian Hip Hop artist and Youth Pastor
- Jason Roy - Lead Singer for Building 429
- Joy Whitlock - Solo Artist
- Dave Pelsue - Lead Singer for Kids in the Way
- Gabe Dunlap - From Brother's Keeper
- Michael Cavallo - From Manic Drive
- Nick Lemau - Lead Singer for Undefiled
- Rachael Lampa - Solo Artist
- Robert G. Lee - Christian Comedian
- Ryan Edberg - Lead Singer for Silverline
- Sarah Hart - Solo Artist
- Superchick Members Melissa Brock, Matt Dally and Brandon Estelle
- V. Rose - Solo Artist
The Choice is a Personal One
Regardless of what anyone else does or says, you have to make a choice that you can live with. Our Guide to Christianity, Mary Fairchild, has some more excellent resources for those trying to decide.
