Holiday observances

[rancherswife]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041015/D85O199O4.html

I read this article linked from the drudgereport regarding the timing of Halloween on Sunday this year. I'm not a big fan of Halloween in general, but I am interested in seeing how y'all observe (or choose not to observe) this so-called holiday. I'm also not rabidly against Halloween. I'm sort of neutral, but I don't decorate or gear up for it like many people do. On the other hand, it wouldn't bother me if Halloween disappeared altogether.

As a historian, I think it's interesting to see how many Roman and Celtic traditions have made it into our everyday lives anyway. Many of them are part of our Christmas and Easter celebrations as well. These old traditions from ancient days now have deep Christian spiritual meaning instead of their old pagan superstitious ones.

I don't see this as the case with Halloween, though. The observances of carving a turnip to ward off evil spirits (usually your own deceased relatives), giving offerings or "treats" to your deceased ancestors who came to visit...those practices just became jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating. No Christian significance was substituted for these pagan practices. I have been unable to find any specific scripture pertaining to this type of observance. Hopefully I haven't opened the hornets nest on this topic, but I'd like to see a reasoned discussion based on biblical principals. :):

P.S.--Is it just me, or has Halloween changed from a fun little party night where we bobbed for apples and had hay rides, to a night focused on fear, evil and darkness? :mad

[antsinmypants]

P.S.--Is it just me, or has Halloween changed from a fun little party night where we bobbed for apples and had hay rides, to a night focused on fear, evil and darkness? :mad


Actually, the phase went from worse than what it is now to "innocent" here in the USA/Canada and it's getting back to it's sources to be honest.

Just read what the ancient practices were, and how we get names like bonfire (bone fire), and I think you'd be suprised.

That being said, I bow out.

[Christine]

Now would be a good time to remind everyone in general that the board rules state that we don't allow the BetterChristian[tm] game over holiday observance. ;):

:pop2

[Sandra]

I hand out salvation tracts geared toward different ages along with a treat. It places the steps for salvation in a couple hundred or so people's hands.

[HDoggie19]

Halloween...what do I say about Halloween?

As a kid, I went trick-or-treating and dressed up like most people and thought people were mean if they didn't pass out candy, lol. Now I know why. Yes, Halloween is evil.
I do love pumpkins and fall harvest decorations though, so every October I buy pumpkins (and don't carve them anymore) and decorate my house in a harvest theme: pumpkins, cornstalks, colored leaves, etc.
But I struggle with the allowing kids to dress up and get candy thing. I know how much I loved it as a kid, but yet I know how evil it is. If I were to have kids, how could I deprive them of the opportunity to dress up and get candy? Maybe I could just let them get a costume and play around in it for awhile and buy them a bag of assorted candy? I don't know. I always loved to dress up as a kid, not just at Halloween. How can you incorporate the cultural traditions of this country, without compromising your beliefs? Anybody have suggestions on how to handle Halloween as a Christian?

[Jiggy37]

I don't see this as the case with Halloween, though. The observances of carving a turnip to ward off evil spirits (usually your own deceased relatives), giving offerings or "treats" to your deceased ancestors who came to visit...those practices just became jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating. No Christian significance was substituted for these pagan practices. I have been unable to find any specific scripture pertaining to this type of observance. Hopefully I haven't opened the hornets nest on this topic, but I'd like to see a reasoned discussion based on biblical principals. :):I don't know about biblical principles, but I can certainly go with "reason"--actually, wait, no, I take it back; I think I do have scripture.

Romans 14:14 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?passage=ROM+14:14&language=english&version=NKJV&showfn=on&showxref=on)
I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Now, in context it's referring to food, but I don't see why it can't be applied here too. Let me turn to the "reason" part...
You just mentioned several practices that I actually had no clue existed. To me things such as pumpkin-carving and trick-or-treating had no real significance and were done just for fun.
So let me turn around and use myself as an example: for the longest time, I also had no clue what Christianity was. The thing is, I loved a bunch of songs like "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Joy to the World," but to me it was just flowery language that had no real meaning--I didn't know there was any real connotation there. Obviously we would say that if a kid's professing that "in the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea / with a glory in His bosom that transfigured you and me / as He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free," but has absolutely no clue what it means, they're not a Christian.
Likewise, if someone's enacting a pagan practice without the intention of it being a pagan practice, is it really a pagan practice? I certainly don't think that the girls who wear angel costumes for fun are attempting to give respect to evil spirits and such, for example...

[wigginsmum]

It's never been a big thing over here in the UK. Personally I don't do anything to mark Halloween, because it was one of the 8 major festivals when I was a witch and I don't want to be reminded of that.

Jules

[Gary]

Other than letting the kids go out and get free candy we don't have much to do with it. No decorations, not even a pumpkin.

[kerri]

I love fall :thumb- so I choose to do a lot of fall decorations that I can keep up through Thanksgiving... I also basically just bring the kids to friends and family in the neighborhood (lived here most of my life) and other family (not too far away) anymore for some candy and pictures of the kids and that's about it...

I've noticed lately though something unusual... it seems that alot of teenagers think they dont need to bother wearing a costume and they can just go up to your door with a bag to get candy? Anyone else see this near them? :confused

I tell them to go home and get a costume and come back if they want candy :noidea

[Green Darner]

I tell them to go home and get a costume and come back if they want candy :noidea

They do say "TRICK or treat" don't they?

Oh man, you're missing a great oppurtunity for giving out "tricks" ;):
You know, get some of that gum that tastes like dirt (or some other trick candy), keep it in a seperate bowl just for times like these! :D:

[ShoutToTheLord]

I pass out candy to trick or treaters mainly for fear of being egged if I don't but for the teenagers that are being rude and behaving badly I save my Christmas candy canes for them! Theres no mistaking that that candy cane is from the past Christmas...lol.... just wish I could see their cute little faces when they pull that out. My son who is 13 will be going out but my dh always goes with the kids so I know they are being polite. Our rule is no evil or scary masks/costumes but yes I have mixed feelings about the day also. I wish it was outlawed just so that I wouldn't have to be the "mean person" to say no to it. Harmless for the most part.

[rancherswife]

I love fall :thumb- so I choose to do a lot of fall decorations that I can keep up through Thanksgiving... I also basically just bring the kids to friends and family in the neighborhood (lived here most of my life) and other family (not too far away) anymore for some candy and pictures of the kids and that's about it...

I've noticed lately though something unusual... it seems that alot of teenagers think they dont need to bother wearing a costume and they can just go up to your door with a bag to get candy? Anyone else see this near them? :confused

I tell them to go home and get a costume and come back if they want candy :noidea

That's pretty much what we do too. Except I don't give out candy. My son is 8, and he's only gone out for trick or treating twice. Other than that we have gone to fall festival types of things. When he goes out in costume, it has to be something non-scary. This year he will be going to a Bibleman Live show on that weekend, so if he goes out for candy I'm sure he'll dress as Bibleman. At least he'll be wearing the full armour of God!! :thumb

I like the idea of giving out gross candy to teens who don't wear costumes. How about those vomit flavored jelly bellys? :heh

[Patty T]

We get kits and stuff them with candy and tracts. We've done this the past 5 years. Only God knows how many seeds have been planted.

[bopeep1909]

If you guys are talking about Halloween this post is going to get :ban

[Witness4Jesus]

I struggle with Halloween as well. We don't decorate and only non scary costumes allowed.

Will pass out candy with bible tracts... I feel we (Christians) can seize the day by giving out bible tracts. Plant a few seeds.

witness

[Don]

For those struggling with Halloween, here are some things to think about:

1. Christmas traditions have pagan origins, too. As is Easter (which is named after a pagan goddess!) Are pumpkins and costumes on Oct. 31 a celebration of evil? Are Christmas trees and wreaths on Dec. 25 a celebration of pagan gods?

2. Kids dress up and get free candy on Halloween. That's the whole point of it from a child's perspective. Is that a celebration of Satan as many make it out to be?

3. Are people who go to church without believing in Christ following God? Contrast this with people who dress up or carve pumpkins on Halloween. Are they following Satan?

4. If going trick-or-treating on Halloween is a sin, would it be a sin if you did it on any other day? Why or why not?


I struggled with Halloween at one point in my life, too; refusing to take part in it. I watched all the videos in church and listened to all the horror stories. Unfortunately, this negatively influenced my thinking, or, rather, it impaired my thinking. Believing Halloween was a celebration of evil didn't make sense, but that's what I thought anyway.

But then I came to a deeper understanding of sin and people's actions by reading other parts of scripture (for example, the part where Jesus says just thinking about committing adultery with a women is the same as actually doing it). I began to understand that sin was a problem of people's underlying motivations, not just their actions. It is a problem with who we are.

I understood, then, why it was that no one could save themselves; why no one could be "good enough". It is simply not in our nature. Getting back to Halloween, I saw how condemning the holiday was a hollow attempt at looking holy. So many of my peers were saying it was evil, so I wanted to look good by agreeing with them and convincing myself that it was evil.

After thinking about it I realized that it is not a celebration of evil. It is a time of fun. When I was a kid, I wasn't thinking about serving Satan or capturing souls in my jack-o-lantern. I was thinking about having fun with my friends, dressing up and getting candy. There was no sin in going trick-or-treating.

Every Christian is at a different place in their walk. Some are just beginning to think Halloween is evil, while others are wondering if they should be so adamant about it. I am just offering my experience.

[Witness4Jesus]

For those struggling with Halloween, here are some things to think about:

1. Christmas traditions have pagan origins, too. As is Easter (which is named after a pagan goddess!) Are pumpkins and costumes on Oct. 31 a celebration of evil? Are Christmas trees and wreaths on Dec. 25 a celebration of pagan gods?

2. Kids dress up and get free candy on Halloween. That's the whole point of it from a child's perspective. Is that a celebration of Satan as many make it out to be?

3. Are people who go to church without believing in Christ following God? Contrast this with people who dress up or carve pumpkins on Halloween. Are they following Satan?

4. If going trick-or-treating on Halloween is a sin, would it be a sin if you did it on any other day? Why or why not?


I struggled with Halloween at one point in my life, too; refusing to take part in it. I watched all the videos in church and listened to all the horror stories. Unfortunately, this negatively influenced my thinking, or, rather, it impaired my thinking. Believing Halloween was a celebration of evil didn't make sense, but that's what I thought anyway.

But then I came to a deeper understanding of sin and people's actions by reading other parts of scripture (for example, the part where Jesus says just thinking about committing adultery with a women is the same as actually doing it). I began to understand that sin was a problem of people's underlying motivations, not just their actions. It is a problem with who we are.

I understood, then, why it was that no one could save themselves; why no one could be "good enough". It is simply not in our nature. Getting back to Halloween, I saw how condemning the holiday was a hollow attempt at looking holy. So many of my peers were saying it was evil, so I wanted to look good by agreeing with them and convincing myself that it was evil.

After thinking about it I realized that it is not a celebration of evil. It is a time of fun. When I was a kid, I wasn't thinking about serving Satan or capturing souls in my jack-o-lantern. I was thinking about having fun with my friends, dressing up and getting candy. There was no sin in going trick-or-treating.

Every Christian is at a different place in their walk. Some are just beginning to think Halloween is evil, while others are wondering if they should be so adamant about it. I am just offering my experience.

Very well said... :clap

[rancherswife]

For those struggling with Halloween, here are some things to think about:

1. Christmas traditions have pagan origins, too. As is Easter (which is named after a pagan goddess!) Are pumpkins and costumes on Oct. 31 a celebration of evil? Are Christmas trees and wreaths on Dec. 25 a celebration of pagan gods?

2. Kids dress up and get free candy on Halloween. That's the whole point of it from a child's perspective. Is that a celebration of Satan as many make it out to be?

3. Are people who go to church without believing in Christ following God? Contrast this with people who dress up or carve pumpkins on Halloween. Are they following Satan?

4. If going trick-or-treating on Halloween is a sin, would it be a sin if you did it on any other day? Why or why not?


I struggled with Halloween at one point in my life, too; refusing to take part in it. I watched all the videos in church and listened to all the horror stories. Unfortunately, this negatively influenced my thinking, or, rather, it impaired my thinking. Believing Halloween was a celebration of evil didn't make sense, but that's what I thought anyway.

But then I came to a deeper understanding of sin and people's actions by reading other parts of scripture (for example, the part where Jesus says just thinking about committing adultery with a women is the same as actually doing it). I began to understand that sin was a problem of people's underlying motivations, not just their actions. It is a problem with who we are.

I understood, then, why it was that no one could save themselves; why no one could be "good enough". It is simply not in our nature. Getting back to Halloween, I saw how condemning the holiday was a hollow attempt at looking holy. So many of my peers were saying it was evil, so I wanted to look good by agreeing with them and convincing myself that it was evil.

After thinking about it I realized that it is not a celebration of evil. It is a time of fun. When I was a kid, I wasn't thinking about serving Satan or capturing souls in my jack-o-lantern. I was thinking about having fun with my friends, dressing up and getting candy. There was no sin in going trick-or-treating.

Every Christian is at a different place in their walk. Some are just beginning to think Halloween is evil, while others are wondering if they should be so adamant about it. I am just offering my experience.

In my initial post I stated: As a historian, I think it's interesting to see how many Roman and Celtic traditions have made it into our everyday lives anyway. Many of them are part of our Christmas and Easter celebrations as well. These old traditions from ancient days now have deep Christian spiritual meaning instead of their old pagan superstitious ones. So, yes, I am aware of the ancient roots of the holidays we celebrate today.

I see your point, and agree with you...sort-of. Your ideas of what Halloween "stands for" (free candy, etc) are basically the way I feel about my personal experiences growing up. But things have changed, IMO. I don't think that Halloween is just "a time of fun" anymore. There is hardly a place we can turn without being subject to seeing some witches, zombies, skeletons, etc. It bothers my son to see scary stuff--we even see satanic balloons at the grocery store! Around this area we have a theme park that has a Halloween horror night from Sept. through Nov. The billboards are so scary/grotesque that I can't stand to look at them. My son had a nightmare from one last year! :freaked There is no sin for you in participating in Halloween, but some people are struggling with that issue. I am very glad we are able to discuss this in a sane way on this board :thumb For my family this isn't an issue of legalism, but an issue of being sure we honor God in all we do.

[Don]

There is hardly a place we can turn without being subject to seeing some witches, zombies, skeletons, etc. It bothers my son to see scary stuff-- These things are fictional monsters. They are made up. But there's nothing wrong with shielding your son from things that bother them (although doing it to much breeds cowardice). You would shield your son from sexual content too, I presume, but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it (in the proper context).


we even see satanic balloons at the grocery store! "Satanic" as in promoting sin, or "satanic" as in red guy with horns? This is also a fictional monster. This is not what Satan is. We should not be perpetuating this myth by being afraid of it or calling it evil. We should be calling Satan out where he really is: behind lies, adultery, murder, abuse, etc.


Around this area we have a theme park that has a Halloween horror night from Sept. through Nov. The billboards are so scary/grotesque that I can't stand to look at them.
There's nothing wrong with being grossed out by something. Different people can handle different levels of different emotions (fear, love, etc). I can't handle watching sappy love stories because of my own personal experiences. Does that make love stories wrong? No. They're just not for me.

These are things we use to celebrate our emotions, so to speak. We have many such activities designed to illicit emotional responses: comedies, drama, etc. Some people enjoy being scared.


There is no sin for you in participating in Halloween, but some people are struggling with that issue.
I know, but in your case it doesn't sound like you are struggling with it being a sin. Rather, it sounds like you are simply uncomfortable with it. There's nothing wrong with that, but that's another matter entirely.


I am very glad we are able to discuss this in a sane way on this board :thumb Another first for RaptureReady!

[Jiggy37]

I came to a deeper understanding of sin and people's actions by reading other parts of scripture (for example, the part where Jesus says just thinking about committing adultery with a women is the same as actually doing it). I began to understand that sin was a problem of people's underlying motivations, not just their actions. It is a problem with who we are.

I understood, then, why it was that no one could save themselves; why no one could be "good enough". It is simply not in our nature. Getting back to Halloween, I saw how condemning the holiday was a hollow attempt at looking holy.I have to disagree with that. Even though I, like you, have nothing against Halloween, I don't doubt that most of those who condemn it do so because they legitimately and sincerely feel that it is evil.

[Don]

I have to disagree with that. Even though I, like you, have nothing against Halloween, I don't doubt that most of those who condemn it do so because they legitimately and sincerely feel that it is evil.
I don't doubt that either, but what people feel and what is true are sometimes very different.

[Grow with God]

Most kids don't dress up in scary costumes anymore. You mostly see cartoon characters, superheros, princess, cheerleader, knight, etc. I think it's just becoming a holiday where kids dress up as their favorite superhero and go out to get candy.

[Jiggy37]

I don't doubt that either, but what people feel and what is true are sometimes very different.Maybe I read too much into the word "attempt," then... Okay, sorry about that. :):

[rancherswife]

These things are fictional monsters. They are made up. But there's nothing wrong with shielding your son from things that bother them (although doing it to much breeds cowardice). You would shield your son from sexual content too, I presume, but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it (in the proper context).

You've crossed the line with the cowardice comment. You don't know me or my husband. You don't know how we parent our child. We are Florida Crackers, we kill lots of mean scary animals--such as snakes--with our bare hands. (well, my husband does ;): ) My father-in-law tamed the land we live on. We literally handle bulls by the horns. If it's one thing we are NOT, it is cowardly. There is a difference in having fear over something that is truly evil and being afraid of one's shadow. BTW, witches ARE REAL. I know one personally. Zombies ARE REAL. They are made in Haiti by giving drugs to people which make them appear to be dead, and then digging up their bodies after burial to be used as slave labor. You may see nothing wrong with sexual context in the "proper context", but that is your choice. Keeping our minds pure is very important--and for a discussion in a different thread.

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whateveris of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Phil. 4:8

"Satanic" as in promoting sin, or "satanic" as in red guy with horns? This is also a fictional monster. This is not what Satan is. We should not be perpetuating this myth by being afraid of it or calling it evil. We should be calling Satan out where he really is: behind lies, adultery, murder, abuse, etc.

If it makes you think of evil, it is Satanic. If it portrays something evil, its Satanic. BTW, we are talking about THE SEASON OF HALLOWEEN, not sinful lifestyles here. Yes, we are aware that Satan tempts people. That's not what this discussion is about. How do you know I don't "call Satan out where he really is"? More assumptions.

Some people enjoy being scared.

I don't want to live in a culture that perpetuates fear, and I don't want to see it everywhere I go. That is my point--WE ARE NOT PEOPLE WHO ENJOY BEING SCARED. As I stated before, we have enough scary stuff slithering through the fields.

I know, but in your case it doesn't sound like you are struggling with it being a sin. Rather, it sounds like you are simply uncomfortable with it. There's nothing wrong with that, but that's another matter entirely.

You assume too much. Being uncomfortable with something means I'm being convicted by God. I'm just discussing it here to see what other believers do at this time during the year. I'm very open to other people having freedom in Christ, but it seems like you want me to feel the same way you do--that Halloween is just a "time of fun". Using the word 'cowardice' was a strong indicator to me that you do not respect my family's struggle with this issue. We are not afraid of Satan. We do not see him lurking in every corner. We are not legalistic. We don't have time to tell others how to live. As I stated before, we just want to be sure we honor God in our decisions. It is not, as you say, my "hollow attempt at being holy". Even if you don't perceive the evil in the season to be real, we do.


I have to disagree with that. Even though I, like you, have nothing against Halloween, I don't doubt that most of those who condemn it do so because they legitimately and sincerely feel that it is evil.


I don't doubt that either, but what people feel and what is true are sometimes very different.

Your response to this person's comment is condescending, and shows that you have missed the whole point of this thread.

[Don]

:tsk rancherswife, I am simply astonished that you could claim to be able to have a sane conversation about this issue, then completely flip out in your next post and make such horrible, false accusations. I'm not even going to bother responding to your points. If this is going to be your attitude, you belong on my ignore list. Good bye.



I am very glad we are able to discuss this in a sane way on this board
Another first for RaptureReady!

Sadly I spoke too soon.

[antsinmypants]

:twitch

[rancherswife]

:tsk rancherswife, I am simply astonished that you could claim to be able to have a sane conversation about this issue, then completely flip out in your next post and make such horrible, false accusations. I'm not even going to bother responding to your points. If this is going to be your attitude, you belong on my ignore list. Good bye.



Sadly I spoke too soon.

Okaaaaaaaaay.....you were the one who suggested I may be raising my child to be a coward, and I'm the one flipping out with a bad attitude :confused? :cry I responded to your opinions without name calling, without questioning your rationality (feelings and truth are sometimes very different was your quote), without condescending to you, and corrected a few assumptions you made. Sorry if you found my reply too pointed. :(: Ignore me if you must :noidea

[Timothy]

I thought that I would chime in with a few of my own thoughts.

What do Halloween, Christmas, and Easter all share in common? Halloween has obvious pagan ties and origins. The smallest amount of research will also determine that Christmas and Easter have had a "Christian" meaning re-applied over what previously was a pagan holiday, with many of the pagan customs carried forward.

People can get EXTREMELY emotional and defensive over holidays, so it is important to have a scriptural context and a practical (personal) context. This whole issue boils down to law vs. grace, legalism vs. grace living, and which you are going to place yourself under. The whole problem with the law, and the reason that it is a curse to us, is that we can never fulfill it. If one puts themself under law, "he is a debtor to do the whole law" (Galatians 5:3), and further:

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Obviously, there are some that condemn the entire Halloween holiday, and everything associated with it, because of the "ties" to witchcraft, paganism, etc. This condemnation may include literally everything associated, including children dressing up in costumes, trick or treating for candy, carving a pumpkin, etc. Under the law, a righteous judgement would dictate that the same measure should be applied to all things. When someone condemns all things Halloween related in this way, the measure used is that "one part spoils the whole," which is the law (i.e. offend in one point, guilty of all).

What about witchcraft? If all things Halloween related are to be condemned for ties to witchcraft, that same measure ("one part spoils the whole") requires condemnation of countless other things including Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, etc. as they all have witchcraft oriented elements. Note - I am being dead serious, and not making light. For example, there are episodes where Bugs Bunny casts "hocus pocus" spells, etc. Therefore, all Bugs Bunny episodes must be condemned entirely by that same measure ("one part spoils the whole"). Again, I am not making light, so please don't either.

What about paganism? If we use that same measure as Halloween ("one part spoils the whole"), and condemn all things associated with Halloween because of ties to paganism, the same measure must be applied to Easter and Christmas. The pagan originating customs alone would dictate condemning those holidays using that measure. Even the names of these holidays are taken for granted. Easter means "Eostre," goddess of spring, whose festival was celebrated at the Vernal Equinox. So when you utter the word "Easter," are you paying tribute to this goddess? Should the entire holiday be condemned because of the name? Christmas comes from the Old English "Christes maesse", which is literally "Christ's mass." When you utter the word "Christmas," are you impuning the sufficiency of the cross?

As you can see, the problem with the law and this type of measure, as you can see, is that it never ends - the bondage of the law will go on and on and on. So what is the practical application under grace? This passage is a great summary of grace living in practice.

Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Surely, under grace we are to abstain from all appearance of evil, and we are to have a good reputation amoung the unsaved, etc.

I Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

I Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

As we are not under the law, but under grace, we need to ask ourselves grace-based questions from the "new man" such as:

* Does your unsaved neighbor purposely dress up their children, carve pumpkins, and send them out trick or treating in a conscious celebration of witchcraft, etc.?
* Is dressing up in a costume, carving a pumpkin, or giving/receiving candy a celebration of witchcraft, etc.?
* To your unsaved neighbors, does the child of a Christian doing these activities have any appearance of evil? Does the particular costume?
* If you think all things Halloween were evil, how would your unsaved neighbor react when they hear this?
* What kind of "report" would your unsaved neighbor give if your house did not hand out candy?

Under grace, you are entitled to make your own decision on an issue like this. What about "Christian" holidays like Easter and Christmas? Regardless of what "Christian" meaning has been applied to a holiday, under grace is someone required to celebrate any holiday, including sabbath days? No, that would be bondage.

Galatians 4:9-10 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

Under grace, a person could esteem one day differently, while someone else could esteem every day to be the same. Note that there is no difference between these two people, if both are regarding it unto the Lord, genuinely, giving thanks.

Romans 14:5-6 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

If someone is genuinely regarding a day unto the Lord, that is not something that another member of the body of Christ should be judged for. If someone wants to genuinely celebrate the birth of Christ unto the Lord, go ahead. As a reminder, yes, we are SUPPOSED to judge other members of the body of Christ on certain things, and judge in a certain way.

Colossians 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Now what is the practical application for us, in the dispensation of grace? If someone wants to take a day and genuinely "regardeth it unto the Lord" (from their "new man"), they are freely entitled to do that under grace. For example, Thanksgiving is also holiday (one day a year), but "Thanksgiving" is something we should have every day and "abound" in.

Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

I can explain myself further, if needed, but I'm "winded" right now....

:faint :spit

[rancherswife]

Thanks so much for your great post :clap

[Carolyn]

Exactly Timothy, well written post.

Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

[TommyDude]

ok first just telling you where i'm coming from, i'm a former wiccan and there are a LOT of people who do celibrate the day for those reasons, more so then anyone thinks, it's like this christmas is "supposed" to be The Lord but to many it's more like "Santa Clause" day or "get stuff" day (and i am well aware the christmas has a pagan background, it was used to make a christian alternative to an already existing pagan holiday so of course the pagan traditions are stuck in it)
halloween i refuse to be a part of, unfortunitly living with unsaved family members who like the day is hard
Christmas i'm not big on for the same reason, but i will somewhat go along with it so long as theres no pagan traditions involved (ie. i don't do the yule log,christmas tree,misstletoe etc. stuff)
easter i don't celibrate because it's too pagan in nature, but i celibrate passover and acknolodge the day of the ressurection of Yeshua

[markofthebest]

I put up lots of Harvest decorations and let Melody go treating to homes we know. She is three, and already knows that the scarey stuff is bad. She does not want anything to do with the halloween isle at Walmart.
She is wearing a UK Cheerleader outfit and we are having a harvest soup feast with some friends.