Halloween is otherwise known as “Hallowed Evening” or “the night before the hallowed day.” Today, it’s simply an opportunity for kids to dress up as superheroes, princesses, or ghouls, and (most importantly) visit the homes of strangers at night, asking for candy. Basically, all the things we warn kids to avoid, one night a year, is actively encouraged!
I digress.
Halloween’s origins were spiritual, not secular. It was viewed as the eve of a “holy” day, called “Hallow’s Day,” or “All Saints Day,” a man-made holiday that encouraged remembrance of saints who have died. In ye olden days, churchgoers would hold candlelit vigils on the night before All Saints Day (that would be the 31st of October), as well as offer prayers and sing hymns. Much like how bygone congregants would go to church houses on the eve of Christmas, they would likewise gather for worship on the eve of the Hallow’s Day. Thus, “Hallow’s Eve” or, as it came to be called: Halloween.
Now, how that ties in with pumpkins, trick or treating, ghosts, vampires, Michael Jackson songs, and the death of He Who Must Not Be Named is an entirely different matter. A lot has been added onto Halloween/All Hallow’s Eve over the years. It’s helpful to remember, too, that a lot of early Catholic traditions and holidays were little more than pagan festivals with a new coat of Jesus-Paint slapped on top.
All that to say: It used to be that our calendar had a lot more days in which people were encouraged to reflect on spiritual matters. We’ve lost that over the years as our culture has become more and more secular (and less and less religious). That’s a shame.
I think it’s proper and good to look for excuses (for lack of a better word) to dwell on spiritual things. I hope tonight, in the midst of handing out fun-sized Snickers bars and scaring your children with stories of ghosts and death, you will pause and reflect on those who have died (for real), the saints that have gone on, the brethren who live—not as ghosts—but as memories in our hearts, and at rest in the comfort of the Lord, awaiting the day when they will rise—not as zombies—but as resurrected citizens of the eternal kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
Have a fun Halloween.
~Matthew