Halloween is approaching. That’s good and all. I’ll probably eat too much leftover Halloween candy and help the grandchildren with their costumes. Anything involving grandchildren and fun can’t be all bad.
According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend $11.6 billion on Halloween this year. That averages to about $103.63 per family, making Halloween the second biggest American holiday after Christmas, based on consumer spending.
As a minister, I don’t get wrapped around the axle about the evils of Halloween anymore. After I did a deep dive into the origins of Halloween traditions a few years ago, I discovered that almost all American Halloween traditions have an origin in fun more than anything else. Who doesn’t like dressing up for a costume party and engaging in party games?
For Christians the big holiday should be All Saints’ Day. This is the Christian holiday for remembering those Christians who have been martyred for their faith or to celebrate the lives of Christians who have inspired us through their legacies.
The holiday began as the Feast of All Holy Martyrs on May 13, 609, though feast days celebrating early saints had been held sporadically in the Church since the Fourth Century. May 13 was chosen to compete with a Roman Pagan festival.
The Church has a history of providing healthy things to celebrate when the alternative is that people will otherwise go to a raucous party even if the Church denounces it.
Before the ninth century, Christians in the British Isles started celebrating All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1 to compete with the Pagan Harvest festival, Samhain. The tradition caught on, and the Pope made All Saints’ Day a day of obligation in 835.
The modern Church, both Roman Catholics and Protestants, celebrate All Saints’ Day with special worship services, prayer, and reflection on the lives of the saints. Around the world, All Saints’ Day is marked by a mix of food, fellowship, worship and prayer.
For me, I’ll spend part of the day reading one of Rev. Dr. Henry van Dyke’s books. He’s an early twentieth century Presbyterian who inspires me. I’ll probably do the reading eating leftover Halloween candy.
