Our Last Halloween

Before I get into this, let me preface this post by saying that I believe each person's walk with the Lord is different.  By that I mean, I don't expect everyone to come to the exact same conclusions that I have in the exact same order that I have, just like I have not always been convicted by the same things that some of my Christian friends have been convicted of.  I'm not saying truth is relative, but I am saying that I believe the Lord draws us to Himself in personal ways as we seek Him.  Why do I say all this?  Because I have been convicted this year regarding the celebration of Halloween, so much so that I feel led to share it, but want to make it very, very clear that  I don't expect you to have this same conviction, and if you don't ever have it, I'm not going to judge you.

I have celebrated Halloween for as long as I can remember.  There are so many fond memories and nostalgia surrounding this holiday, as with many others.  I can remember several of my costumes, lot of parties, pumpkin carving, haunted houses, etc.  I don't regret any of this.  In fact, when I first considered not celebrating Halloween anymore, I'll be honest, I was upset for my kids.  I felt like I was stealing a part of their childhood, and preventing all these fantastic memories from ever taking place.

BUT, either our society is more disturbed now than it was when I was a kid, or I am just more aware of how disturbed our society is. When we were out last night I saw babies dressed up as Satan.  Young people dressed up as murderers.  Adults dressed as living dead.  Horrifying creatures that may or may not torment the dreams of my children.  Is this supposed to be entertaining?  Because I don't think it's funny.  I think it's sad.  What sort of message is it sending my kids when all week long we talk about Jesus and what He's done for us, and how bear His name, and talk about resisting the enemy..... and then spend one day out of the year celebrating everything that the enemy represents?  And even if we do it innocently (as a baseball player, cowboy, little red riding hood, tin man, and luke skywalker) what sort of message does our participation send to unbelievers?  Do I really want my children (or myself for that matter) to be desensitized to evil and the horrors of hell?  There were a couple of crowds last night who looked like they could have walked straight out of hell.  A place where evil is the norm and Satan reigns and there is nothing good or happy or pleasant because all of those things only exist because of the existence of God and He is not in Hell so none of His blessings will be there either...... and one day out of the year, we just pretend like it's actually not that bad of a place and we can find some entertainment in it, actually.  Really?

So, I explained this to the kids yesterday afternoon.  This is the last time we are participating in this.  And I told them why.  And they got it.  And they were fine with it.  Praise God!  While we were walking around last night, they would whisper to me "Mom, there's one of the evil things."  I didn't have to tell them - they knew, which confirmed even more that they are not oblivious to it.  So, we may have a costume party in November next year.  We may even carve some fall pumpkins.  We can take the fun and innocent fall ways to celebrate our Lord instead of His enemy.  And maybe I'll even let them eat some candy. :)  We'll probably still have some left over anyway!