It’s Fall, and That Spells H A L L O W E E N!
Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Halloween and when it began?
H a l l o w e e n first came to the United States in the 1840s but observing Halloween dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
There are as many theories on the observance of Halloween as there are stars in the sky! Some believe it’s witchcraft, while others say it is harmless fun! Schools plan fall festivals with cakewalks and games, while churches schedule Trunk or Treat activities and ask children to dress as bible characters!
I remember my mother telling me the story of their first Halloween experience. They lived far in the backwoods of Fouke, Arkansas, where the closest neighbor lived 20 miles away! It was too far to walk, so they did not observe the tradition in a country setting.
When they moved to town in the Summer of 1942, mom was pregnant with me! She said on October 31st, kids showed up dressed as ghosts and goblins in sheets and homemade costumes and masks! The kids said “trick or treat” so fast, she could not understand what they were saying!
The next year they were better informed and prepared. No Walmart stores were available to purchase bags of candy, so most neighbors made candy apples and popcorn balls for the trick or treaters.
I’m not sure when the first act of maliciousness occurred, but in 1966 a guy in Houston put double-sided razor blades in apples, and several children were badly injured! We had just moved to Conroe, and I was fearful for Diane, my three-year-old daughter, to take part and drove all over town, taking her to friends’ homes to “trick or treat.”
Years later, Odis, as a Gideon, purchased new testaments to give with the candy. One little guy got so excited, placed it across his heart, and said, “I’ve never had my own bible before.” It overwhelmed me. I take all my bibles in different translations for granted, and this young lad was excited to get a new testament. The next year, he came and brought a friend and asked if he could have a bible. We promptly provided him one.
No matter how you decide to celebrate this night, be responsible and stay safe. If you do “trick or treat,” be selective where you take your children and carefully check their bags of candy!
It’s not the ghosts and goblins you have to watch out for, but people who use it as an opportunity for wickedness!
Teach your children about the genuine spirit of a living God!
AND BTW, parents, don’t eat all the kiddo’s candy.
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