I love it! That's how you redeem a day for the Lord.

Most of those kids have no idea why they are even dressing up. They are just following the traditions they grew up with. (as are their parents)

As I've stated before, as a true 'pagan holiday', it's akin to New Year's. It is supposed to be the one night of the year that the veil between the 'two worlds' is open, and the rituals of protection and blessing are done to make sure that nothing comes through that is not wanted. Personally, the CERN people scare me a lot more than some fake cobwebs and bats!

As I said before, the tradition of the Jack o Lantern has a couple of different origins. Just do a google search and you'll see what I mean. Most agree it was Irish immigrants who brought the tradition of carving out a veggie w/ a candle inside. American pumpkins were chosen as being larger and easier than the potatoes, turnips or gourds. The idea of putting a lighted lantern with a scary face, along with a 'treat' to appease the 'evil spirits' who were believed to be walking the earth is just a remnant of old pagan beliefs mixed with the Christian belief that 'Light' can always dispel 'darkness/evil'.

All those elements can actually lend this totally AMERICANIZED activity (and really a very NEW one), to acts of ministry.

We can teach our kids about giving...not to keep evil away, but to share with our neighbors. I taught my kids all the old 'legends'. They'd be so cute, with their innocence and faith..."didn't they know they just needed Jesus?", when I told them some people wanted to dress in costume to try to fool other 'evil spirits' into thinking they were 'one of them' and then they'd be 'safe'. The idea of 'treats' to the dead have roots in a lot of cultural beliefs. In the neighboring county, a few years ago neighbors near a cemetery had the city put a stop to the families of those buried there from leaving food offerings to their loved ones. The abundance of rotting food was attracting rats, cats and dogs! And that wasn't just at Halloween, but year 'round!

Bottom line...anything this world can throw at us, we can take and redeem it for the Lord. We can use every situation as a teaching tool for our kids. History, theology, mythology, cultural differences...all of it. We can tell them how Jesus not only went out to those places that had 'bad things' going on, he sat down and ate with the people, shared His truth, His love...and we are supposed to be His Hands and Feet. What better chance do we have than at a time of year when most people have no idea what they are even 'celebrating'. Pray for those children. Find a way to share the gospel, turn it into a teaching tool and reclaim the night as just another night that belongs to He who created the Day and the Night.....and proclaimed it GOOD!

Blessings~

Suzi