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I’ll never forget one of my first Halloween costumes as a child. With an orange, yellow, and white striped triangle, I was set as an adorable candy corn. Looking back, I realize it was a bit cheesy. But it sure was fun dressing up, hanging out with friends, and walking the downtown streets looking high and low for festive treats.
Throughout childhood, my family was known for hosting Halloween parties for us kids. We’d bob for apples, make crazy foods, and name them with silly descriptions (like making meatballs “eyeballs,” or black pasta “worms”), and spend hours reading made-up ghost stories. I never thought anything of it. October was a time for fun, food, and the harvest.
Understanding the Historical Context of “Halloween”
As I grew, I realized that not everyone thought of Halloween the same way I did. While Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated over 2,000 years ago to mark the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, modern-day celebrations have evolved significantly. Samhain was a time when it was believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was thinnest, but this festival transformed through Roman influence and Christian adaptation.
By the 8th century, the Catholic Church began replacing pagan festivals with Christian observances. This is why, at least in America, Halloween is now seen as a community-focused celebration filled with costumes, trick-or-treating, and festive gatherings. However, Halloween divides many Christians today due to its associations and origins, cultural influences, and varying interpretations of Scripture.
No matter which side you stand on regarding Halloween, it’s crucial to navigate this topic with grace and truth. Many who celebrate or have celebrated Halloween may be unaware of its origins, so we must approach the conversation in a way that honors our faith and fosters understanding.
