Why Christians should celebrate Halloween

Yesterday, I got on Wikipedia and was reading the kids about the origins of Halloween, and why it’s a holiday.

I found out some interesting stuff.

Pumpkin and Gourd Display, via Wikimedia Commons by Sdwelch1031
Pumpkin and Gourd Display, via Wikimedia Commons by Sdwelch1031


So, really, the Christianized version of Halloween really amounts to a Day of the Dead kind of thing. Honoring and remembering the dead, all that jazz. But what really got me was the thing about using humor and ridicule to confront the power of death. As Christians, we know that Jesus’s resurrection has taken away the sting of death. So why not take the mickey out of death once in a while? Why be afraid of Halloween?

Of course, there are the Celtic origins:


Samhain is what usually gets Christians’ panties in a twist, and here’s why:


Most scholars see the Aos Sí as “degraded versions of ancient gods […] whose power remained active in the people’s minds even after they had been officially replaced by later religious beliefs”.

The Aos Sí were both respected and feared, with individuals often invoking the protection of God when approaching their dwellings. At Samhain, it was believed that the Aos Sí needed to be propitiated to ensure that the people and their livestock survived the winter. Offerings of food and drink, or portions of the crops, were left for the Aos Sí.

So it was believed to be a time of year to placate the malevolent spirits and mitigate a harsh winter.

What I find amusing are the myriad “harvest festivals” that churches put on to offer as alternatives to that eeeeevil trick or treating. These festivals are closer to the original Celtic harvest festivals and Samhain than trick or treating is!

So don’t be afraid of Halloween. Jesus has broken its power. Just be aware that by going to a harvest festival, you might actually be closer to the pagan customs than you think.


3 thoughts on “Why Christians should celebrate Halloween

  1. You are so amazing, I really enjoyed your research. I had no idea and I bet other people don’t either.
    I am going to link this on my face book too.
    Great job!


  2. What do you do to differentiate your celebration from that of the unbelieving world? How do you turn the high holy holiday for witchcraft and paganism into a God-honoring day? How do those around you know that you are celebrating the One who defeated death rather than death itself (and the macabre associated with it)? I’m asking sincerely.

    I agree that we shouldn’t fear it, but neither should we downplay the real horror of the Enemy, his evil acts and deceptions. It is quite obvious that “traditional Halloween” celebrates the latter, just looking at the movies and decorations and costumes associated with it — plus, yes, the history. I have heard and read plenty about that, and things that still go on today, in the dark, in honor of “Halloween,” that are truly despicable. What do you do to make it clear that you reject the darkness and belong to the One who has overcome it?

    We are to honor God in all that we do. How do you honor God on this day?


  3. You have some good questions, Lisa!

    I don’t actually think our modern version of Halloween generally has that many dark themes, at least in the children’s realm of the holiday. There are of course many things that COULD be bad, but generally, Halloween for children is all about dressing in funny costumes and getting lots of candy.

    There certainly is a darker side though, and you’re right. We should definitely be aware of it. But I think Kessie is trying to say that we don’t have to FEAR it because God has already defeated the Enemy.

    I actually ask my college students a lot of the same things you’re asking every year. They have the option to write a paper on how they glorify God every year at Halloween. You’d be surprised at some of the answers I get!

    Kessie, as for your post, I’ve never really taken the time to research the holiday. Thanks for shedding some light on it!


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