Set Apart

It's October 31st.  Halloween.  A time when parents willingly and happily encourage their children to dress up in fantastical, often 'nightmarish' garb to solicit neighbors for candy with the chant of "Trick or Treat."  Pumpkins are carved in ghoulish designs.  Schools and even churches promote and offer opportunities for young children to participate... all in the name of innocent fun.  But is it so innocent?

I am one of few, I believe, who regard Halloween as an ongoing pagan event.  Its roots are steeped in satanic worship.  Its historical rituals are nothing less than evil, directly related to and in honor of satan.  Some may debate this; some choose to ignore it.  Some will scoff at any suggestion of demonic relationship.  I, however, am convinced this is a harsh reality and I choose not to casually dismiss the implications of being involved in what I call 'the devil's holiday.'  And here is why:

When I began my relationship with Christ some 17 years ago, part of my induction to learning was through listening to Christian radio.  It was on one of these stations, KLOVE, I heard about and subsequently ordered a video entitled Halloween:  Trick or Treat.   It explains the roots and significance behind many of the current-day events, events the general public treats lightly and innocently - and ignorantly.  Upon watching this video, however, they were no longer innocent to me.  And I was no longer ignorant.  I was immediately and soundly convicted about the 'celebration' of Halloween; I simply cannot and will not engage in it. 

At the time I viewed the video, my sister was a mother of 3 young children.  Being a believer in Christ, she had also taken a stand in opposition to Halloween; her children were disallowed from participating.  Now I am a mother of two young children and who are of early school-age, which means they are exposed to opinions, practices, and celebrations that may be contrary to the manner in which they've been raised to date.  My daughter is still young enough to not be too bothered by the whole issue, but my son was quite distraught when school friends were at the door tonight seeking candy.  He sobbed to join them and I had to attempt to explain to my 5 year old why I was denying him. 

In my best effort, I tried to simply state that God's word says witchcraft is a sin; it hurts people, and that hurts God.  God placed this conviction on my heart and unless and until He releases that conviction, our family will not do Halloween.  I understood his keen disappointment at being left out of the "fun," but held firm to my conviction, held him in my arms, comforted him and prayed for peace and understanding in his heart.  Later this evening, he could heard children out on the street.  His quiet comment:  "I hope they aren't being a witch."  Thank you, Jesus.

A friend asked me tonight why I don't do Halloween and I explained my conviction.  She responded that her family reasoned that most holidays have pagan roots, as if to say, if people stopped celebrating a holiday based on its original, historical intentions there would be no holidays to celebrate.  In my heart, I know that is not right, at least it is not right for me.  This is a conviction the Lord placed on me with regard to this specific holiday; He gave me the opportunity to learn something important to Him and I will not ignore it.  If there are other holidays I should reconsider the manner in which I recognize or participate in them, I pray He would bring those to the forefront of my knowing.

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to be set apart.  Romans 12:2 admonishes us in this way:  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.  We are in the world but not of the world; we are to be set apart, even if it means we have to separate ourselves.  Remember, with God, we are never separated from Him who loves us and calls us His own.

If anyone is curious and desirous to know more about the history of Halloween, the film is distributed by and available through Jeremiah Films (http://www.jeremiahfilms.com/store/).

Again...

...I find myself in need.   Of a friend... of someone to hold... and care... and with a willingness to share.  I need my Savior, o, my God... to show me how deeply You care and love this lamb...
this little sheep who longs to hear Your voice... O, my God, my Shepherd, let me hear Your voice... let me know the One who calls to me... leave me not alone, to wonder my destiny... but be the King... of this sinner... reconciled to the One who saves...
(written to "Jesus Hail the Lamb" by Margaret Becker