Read Time: 4 min 40 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

HOLIDAY

A History of Halloween

How did America’s largest candy exchange get started?

It all started with the Celts, who lived around 2,000 years ago in what we now call the U.K., Ireland, and France. They celebrated their new year on November 1, marking the end of harvest season and the start of winter. On the night before, they believed the living and the dead were closer, so they wore costumes to scare away ghosts.

In the 700s AD, as Christianity spread, Pope Gregory III established All Saints’ Day on November 1. It was a day to remember martyrs of the faith and believers who had died. Many believe Pope Gregory wanted to infuse Christian significance into the Celtic holiday. Alholowmesse means All Saints’ Day in Middle English. The night before began to be called All-Hollows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.

As European immigrants came to America from 1850 to 1900, they brought Halloween traditions with them, like dressing in costumes and asking for food or money. By 1950, trick-or-treating became a popular, inexpensive way for communities to celebrate together.

Now, Americans spend more than $11 billion on Halloween, second only to their Christmas spending.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Halloween presents a unique opportunity to interact with our community. Be intentional about loving and blessing your neighbors as you interact with them tonight. 

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 (CSB) (read full passage)

What do I want to make sure my kids know in light of this story?
Christians don’t need to fear evil spirits. 

When Jesus became man, he showed that he had total power over the devil and the spirits who do his work (for example, Mark 5:1-11). The apostle John, who walked with Jesus and witnessed countless miracles, said that Jesus’s purpose is “to destroy the devil’s works” (1 John 3:8 CSB).

When we walk with Jesus, we enter the fight against “the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” But (spoiler alert!) we know how the fight will end. Jesus lives within us, and he’s given us everything we need to “stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-18 CSB).

What might my kids misunderstand about this story?
Remembering “saints” who have died can help us grow with Jesus.

A “saint” is what the Bible calls a holy person. All Christians are saints because God makes us holy when we believe in him. 

Remembering those who have died and are now living with Jesus can be a major encouragement for believers. The book of Hebrews calls saints who have passed away “a great cloud of witnesses”—they’re like a crowd in a stadium cheering us on as we run the race of faith (Hebrews 12:1-3 CSB). Remembering their example and seeing how they overcame major challenges while trusting God can give us strength as we face our own challenges (Hebrews 11:1-39 CSB).

• Read a biography of a saint whose life interests you. What can you learn from them about following Jesus?

• Memorize 1 John 3:8: “The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the devil’s works” (CSB).

• Pray for opportunity and boldness to share the love of Jesus with your neighbors this Halloween.

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