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Can Halloween Still Be Celebrated by Families of Faith?

  • Dr. James Emery White Serioustimes.org
  • Published Oct 30, 2024
Can Halloween Still Be Celebrated by Families of Faith?

Today is October 31, also known as Halloween. I grew up in a day when Halloween was little more than pumpkins, fall festivals, hayrides, and dressing up as a pirate or a farmer to go trick-or-treating. And that’s also what it was like for my (now) very post-Halloween-age children. I know its history, but few celebrations in our day are free from pagan roots—almost all had a pagan heritage that was later seized and transformed by Christian culture. 

So what can we celebrate about this day besides the wholesome fun of yesteryear that still exists around it?

Consider the following:

  • A celebration of “Halloween” on October 31 originated with All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Eve, marking the evening before All Hallows’ Day on November 1. This was a Christian celebration of the lives of saints, both known and unknown.
  • Hallow, in Old English, means “holy” or “sacred.” Therefore, “Hallows’ Eve” or “Halloween” simply means “the evening of holy persons” and refers to the evening before All Saints’ Day.
  • All Saints’ Day dates back to the 4th century. As Romans persecuted the Christians in increasing numbers, they dedicated their own days to celebrating the martyrs and saints they so admired.
  • October 31 is also known as Reformation Day. On October 31, 1517, the German monk Martin Luther nailed his “Ninety-five Theses” on the door of the All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg. This helped spark the Protestant Reformation.
  • In the 12th and 13th centuries, fall was called haerfest (now harvest), which was the act of taking in crops. There were celebrations to give thanks to God for the harvest that included singing hymns, praying, and decorating the churches with baskets of fruit. Harvest Festivals remind Christians of all the good things God gives them.

So, my take on it all is pretty simple. I think Halloween as an American cultural event for kids is no big deal. Dress them up as one of the minions and have fun. It’s just not a big deal from the paranormal or occultic perspective on things. In my opinion, this is an area where a lot of people are majoring in minors. I think Halloween, as far as the kids go, can still be something innocent.

Oh, and one last reason to celebrate Halloween: 

... 79% of all parents admit to secretly eating their child's Halloween candy.

James Emery White

Photo Courtesy: ©GettyImages/evgenyatamanenko

Published Date: October 28, 2024

James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and a former professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His latest book, Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age, is now available on Amazon or from your favorite bookseller. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit churchandculture.org where you can view past blogs in our archive, read the latest church and culture news from around the world, and listen to the Church & Culture Podcast. Follow Dr. White on X, Facebook, and Instagram at @JamesEmeryWhite.