“O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?” Galatians 3:1
This Bewitching Season
By Shannon Pederson
Life is a time of seasons, each with its own gifts. Perhaps nature, afraid she might bore us with the monotony of endless summers and winters, feels obliged to give us respite. So comes spring and the genesis of new life. But for me, no season invigorates the body and imagination as much as the fall.
If the change of seasons energizes the body, it also arouses the imagination. It attracts anyone susceptible to the bewitching season of Halloween. Perhaps it was my early acquaintance with Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hallow or the ghost tales spun in bed at night with my sisters that left me so susceptible to the spirit of the season.
Halloween actually has its roots in the Christian holiday, All Saints' Day. It falls on the eve of All Saint's Day, November 1, a day when believers honor all the saints, people who exemplify Christian virtues, in heaven and on earth.
But, today Halloween is largely a secular celebration. Most Christians ascribe no negative significance to Halloween, treating it as a purely secular holiday devoted to celebrating "imaginary spooks" and handing out candy. To these Christians, Halloween holds no threat to the spiritual lives of children
Similarly, many contemporary Protestant churches view Halloween as a fun celebration for children, holding events in their churches where children and their parents can dress up, play games, and get candy.
When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween.
-Author Unknown-
The following prayer invites God to bless all who celebrate All Hallow's Eve as well as the saints who glorify God in heaven and on earth:
"God of heaven and earth, thank you for all Your saints who serve you and glorify Your name. As we see and participate in the celebrations around us, let us remember Halloween's basis in You, that we may celebrate Your goodness in the world, this day and always. Amen."
This Bewitching Season
By Shannon Pederson
Life is a time of seasons, each with its own gifts. Perhaps nature, afraid she might bore us with the monotony of endless summers and winters, feels obliged to give us respite. So comes spring and the genesis of new life. But for me, no season invigorates the body and imagination as much as the fall.
If the change of seasons energizes the body, it also arouses the imagination. It attracts anyone susceptible to the bewitching season of Halloween. Perhaps it was my early acquaintance with Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hallow or the ghost tales spun in bed at night with my sisters that left me so susceptible to the spirit of the season.
Halloween actually has its roots in the Christian holiday, All Saints' Day. It falls on the eve of All Saint's Day, November 1, a day when believers honor all the saints, people who exemplify Christian virtues, in heaven and on earth.
But, today Halloween is largely a secular celebration. Most Christians ascribe no negative significance to Halloween, treating it as a purely secular holiday devoted to celebrating "imaginary spooks" and handing out candy. To these Christians, Halloween holds no threat to the spiritual lives of children
Similarly, many contemporary Protestant churches view Halloween as a fun celebration for children, holding events in their churches where children and their parents can dress up, play games, and get candy.
When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween.
-Author Unknown-
The following prayer invites God to bless all who celebrate All Hallow's Eve as well as the saints who glorify God in heaven and on earth:
"God of heaven and earth, thank you for all Your saints who serve you and glorify Your name. As we see and participate in the celebrations around us, let us remember Halloween's basis in You, that we may celebrate Your goodness in the world, this day and always. Amen."