What Does Halloween Really Mean?

Halloween dates back to the Celtic culture. The Celtics were the Irish, Scottish, and Isle of Man. The Celtics in the eighth century 2000 years ago celebrated New Year’s on November 1^st. The latter days of the month of October were a time to celebrate the end of Summer and the welcome of the cold months and this included a Celtic festival. This was a time where they believed in celebrating Samhain which was a common ancient Celtic festival.

Their belief during that time was that there were blurred lines between the living and the dead and that on October 31 before their new year came in they could communicate with their dead relatives.

They would wear costumes to confuse any of the dead that would come during this spiritual time that may have an evil presence and would not be a relative they were trying to communicate with.

Some of the Celtics would have a feast and this open spiritual connection would cause them to do weird things like set a place for a dead relative at the feast. They put treats outside their doors so that the dead could come and eat treats.

Along with these treats being put outside was the practice of guising by children who wore masks or costumes and recited verses in exchange for food. In modern practice, most people feel comfortable allowing their children to go door to door in a mask or costume with a bag, recite “trick or treat” and receive candy. Well if you wonder where it began here it is.

Most people practice this holiday with no thought of its origin or why we still practice the culture today. This holiday is not a godly practice at all. Most Christians do not understand that and continue to celebrate each year. The reality is there is no reference or point to God in many of the things that have become common to do. It’s not godly no matter how many friends or family members make it comfortable to engage in the holiday.

Watching horror movies. Let’s take a look at the reality of these practices.

The definition of a horror movie is one that seeks to elicit fear or disgust for entertainment purposes. There is nothing godly or positive about watching horror movies. We have all seen many of them. My experience with evil, horror, or spirits, in general, has shown me that no matter how innocent it seems to fix a bowl of popcorn and watch, it is not innocent in any way.

There have been weird occurrences on the sets where these movies were created. The occurrences have included the death of casts members, injuries, and the complete set catching fire or burning up. Many of these occurrences had no real explanation. The cast members who were killed had weird dreams or feelings while filming the movie prior to their death.

What does God’s Word tell us about dealing with evil spirits or engaging in common practices related to evil spirits?

1 Corinthians 10:21 “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and the table of demons”.

Ephesians 5:8-11 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them”.

Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”.

Halloween is not just a holiday about dressing up, eating chocolate, and enjoying a little horror movie. Its roots have been around for centuries. When you celebrate Halloween you are honoring an evil and wicked ancient pagan tradition. As children of God, we are called to separate ourselves from darkness and be the light of the world.

We are to be a light to our children so that those who come to know us want to also be a light in an often dark world. It may be a tradition you have never understood on this level. God calls us to lay down traditions and pick up light and the righteousness of God and be the difference.

References:

What is Samhain? Origin of Halloween rooted in Pagan Holiday. https://time.com/5434659/halloween-pagan-origins-in-samhain/.Time. (October 30, 2018). Accessed (October 25, 2021)

Scriptures: New King James Bible