Saints, Symbols and Celebrations: A New Perspective on Halloween by Judy Turpen
Halloween is one holiday most Christian teachers would be delighted
to delete from the classroom calendar. With its parade of ghosts,
goblins and monsters and its possible ties to the ancient pagan
celebration of Samhain, it seems to be the unholiest day of the
year. In spite of bad press due to tainted treats and tricks gone
wrong, its popularity appears to be growing.
So what's a Christian educator to do? We recently came across
a startling suggestion: put the hallow back in Halloween. In his
book Halloween: Tradition Worthy of Defense, Steve Carl makes an
impressive case for why Christians should reclaim this tarnished
holiday. A technical consultant to several evangelical ministries,
including Youth for Christ and Greg Laurie's A New Beginning radio
program, Carl examines the symbols often associated with Halloween.
Skillfully drawing upon Scripture, church history and tradition,
he argues that Christians have a unique right to celebrate Halloween.
Unlike many holidays on our calendar, this event began in the
Church. Just as the United States designated Veterans Day for honoring
its soldiers the Christian Church established All Hallows' or All
Saints' Day as the time to honor valiant soldiers of the faith.
All Saints' Day was originally celebrated in the first quarter
of the year rather than at the time of Samhain. It was changed
to November 1 by Pope Gregory III during the eighth century. Pope
Gregory III proclaimed the day a universal church holy day. After
the Reformation, the recognized Protestant Church also celebrated
All Saints' Day as part of its heritage.
SYMBOLS OF THE FAITH?
In his book, Carl explores the traditions behind familiar Halloween
symbols. For example:
Jack O'Lantern. According to the old story, an Irishman known
as 'Stingy Jack' attempted to outfox the Devil in exchange for
leaving his family alone for one year and not claiming his soul.
He succeeded. Then the Devil picked up a piece of burning coal
and threw it at Jack. Jack caught the coal and dropped it in a
turnip, using its feeble light to find his way back home. Ever
since, the coal or candle in a hollow turnip, potato or pumpkin
has been used to warn the Devil that this is a place he better
not visit.
Trick or Treat. This custom actually began
in the Protestant Church as an effort to help the poor. At harvest
time, the needy
were encouraged to walk from house to house to gather food. Many
of them refused to beg in this way due to pride. So the begging
was changed to "going a-souling." In exchange for food,
the receiver would agree to pray for the family of the giver and
those who had died the previous year. The custom soon became popular
with poor and rich alike. The wealthy left the gifts they received
from their neighbors at the church to be distributed to the poor.
Costumes and Pageants. Carl points to early Church writings that
imply the use of costumes was inspired by the book of Esther and
the Feast of Purim. A costume pageant was held at the beginning
of All Saints' Festival. In these pageants, the devils, demons,
and witches were always defeated and the Saints or martyrs were
victorious, though gory in appearance from their persecution.
TAKING BACK OUR TERRITORY
This year why not consider teaching your students about the Christian
history of Halloween. Study together what it means for a day to
be set aside as hallowed or sacred. Get a copy of Halloween, Is
It for Real? by Harold Myra and Dwight Walles (Thomas Nelson) for
a child's-eye view of how early Christians decided to celebrate
this day.
In their book Let's Make a Memory (Word),
Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson suggest using Halloween masks
as a springboard to
discussion of the various invisible "masks" we wear.
They also encourage talking about the things that make us afraid
and what we can do to tame our fears. For older students, a research
project on traditional costumes can lead to increased understanding
of Church history and Christian beliefs.
Author and Focus on the Family periodical
vice president Dean Merrill caution, "Each family [and teacher] has to make its
own peace with Halloween. The important thing ... is not just to
float mindlessly with the culture. Make your choices, hold to your
Christian values, clearly explain ... why you feel the way you
do [and] compensate for any take-aways with positive replacements" (Together
at Home, Thomas Nelson).
CEAI welcomes differing viewpoints and proven strategies for
dealing righteously and responsibly with Halloween in the public
schools.