Reimagine Halloween To Draw Your Child Closer to Christ
Halloween is celebrated on October 31st of every year. It’s a holiday that evolved from a variety of European traditions from thousands of years ago. In America, it is now celebrated primarily by children dressing up in costumes and collecting candy (trick or treating) in their neighborhoods. Homes are decorated with ghosts and goblins and other scary things. People go to haunted houses to get chased by chainsaws and replicas of Jason- the main character in the Friday the 13th movie series. In many ways, Halloween is a celebration of the demonic.
As believers, we do not want to celebrate the demonic. If you are allowing your children to dress up as witches or murderers like Jason, please consider what you are communicating to them. We are in this world, but we are not of this world. We celebrate this holiday and still honor God. As the spiritual leaders of your home, we encourage you to seek creative ways to reimagine any holiday to ensure that it aligns with God’s truth. Do not be afraid to set limits.
Eastern Star Church has provided an alternative to Halloween for years. The Fall Festival (formerly called the Hallelujah Party) allows children to come dressed in positive costumes, play games, eat food, and get a big bag of candy. Sandra Keith, Senior Children’s Ministry Coordinator, has helped with this event for several years.
How did your family celebrate Halloween when you were growing up?
My family celebrated Halloween by going trick or treating in everybody’s neighborhood that we knew. We dressed up in positive costumes, mostly characters from TV shows. My favorite costume as a child was an angel. As an adult, I dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood one year and I loved it!
How many years have you assisted with the Fall Festival (formerly Hallelujah Party)?
I have been helping with the Fall Festival for over 30 years as a volunteer first and now as a staff person. I have seen it progress from a showcase of local talent like drill teams, puppet shows, and choirs primarily for our church members to bounce houses and other interactive games for the community.
What is your hope for the first Fall Festival after the COVID pandemic?
I hope that the community will come out and have a good time and that this good time would lead to someone accepting Christ. Also, we have a core group of volunteers that serve every year for this event. They can’t wait to come back!
Plan to bring your child to the Fall Festival this year, Monday, October 31st, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on the Main Campus.