Traditionally Halloween has its roots in Christianity, but like many Christian celebrations it has been hijacked and corrupted. But that doesn't mean we have to 'throw out the baby with the bath water.'

Growing up I loved Halloween, aside from Christmas it was probably my favorite "holiday". My big brother and I would plan our costumes and change our minds 100 times all year until the big day.

When we lost my big brother to suicide on November 1, 2006 I began a journey away from the Lord. I didn't stop celebrating Halloween despite the painful anniversary but rather I filled it more and more with sinful celebration, not realizing how far I had strayed from God and ignorant of how far our society had strayed from Halloween as its traditional "All Hallows' Eve." Hallow= holy. So, of what holy day is this the eve? (Stay with me we will get back to that!)

When I returned to a faithful life in Christ I began to question if I should celebrate Halloween. My husband and I eventually decided not to. Many of our loved ones still celebrated "Harvest" which seemed to allow for costumes and candy among other fall activities. I thought, 'this seems to be Halloween, only with a different name and some boundaries against inviting fear and sin' -like costumes/ activities that are scary or elevate sin such as witchcraft or violence. But the church has never embraced the evil side of Halloween that has infiltrated our culture today (individual Christians maybe but not the Church). So perhaps many of us are actually shooting for the same goal in our fall festivities after all.

A Deeper Understanding

I was confused...my husband seemed unsure.....and my daughter couldn't tell the difference between Harvest and Halloween and used the terms interchangeably. I didn't know whether to correct her not.

Our hearts as a married couple is to love, respect and honor God, each other, and our children.  I did not want to create more confusion, I did not want to go against the boundaries we had set, but something just felt off. So I prayed for clarity in the matter and that the Lord would keep my husband and I in agreement with each other and His will.

As per usual, Holy Spirit guided us to a balanced perspective.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find..." Matthew 7:7-8

As it turns out Halloween or traditionally "All Hollows' eve" is the eve of all Saints Day; November 1st, which also happens to be the day we lost my brother so long ago.

He jokingly called himself Saint Russell, and so did just about everyone else. On the surface he meant to be ironic. But after reading some of his journals as an adult, I believe that underneath the surface he did truly long for redemption, for Sainthood. I believe he experienced things that I am not at liberty to share publicly. Things that severely impacted his adolescent, developing brain leading to self-harm and ultimately his death.

My mom had the honor of speaking with an elderly Catholic woman at Benedictus - a local Catholic bookstore that Russell liked to visit frequently. We knew little of Catholicism at the time and my brother never said anything about being confirmed into the Catholic church....but so often I wonder if that was where he was headed.

The lady at the bookstore assured my mom that Russell knew Jesus. She had talked with him often. She was an answer to my mother's prayer- that Russell would find someone he could relate to that would disciple him.

Who would have thought that God would lead a punk rock rebellious teenager to a sweet little old bookstore Catholic woman do to the job?

While my mom was having this conversation with Russell's elderly Catholic friend, I was crying in my room at home, begging God not to let him perish even though I knew nothing of praying for the dead at the time (this does not mean praying people out of hell which I have heard it referred to as- that would be impossible and is not supported by the Catholic Church). I couldn't bear the thought of not seeing him again or him experiencing any further torment.

As I lay there sobbing and praying, I suddenly startled as I could have sworn, I heard his combat boots stomping up the steps in true Russell drama fashion.

A few moments later I heard my mom's voice.

"He's ok, Blair," she began as she continued to tell me about the bookstore and Russell's sweet friend. She went in to buy Saint Jude necklaces for friends and family and came out with hope.

Russell's favorite Saint was Saint Jude - patron saint of lost causes, because he felt he was one. He joked about it, but from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). My heart is grieved when I consider the pain he must have felt. But my heart is also full of joy and hope that we will see my dear brother again and that he has found peace and rest with God.

All Hallows' Eve

So back to Halloween....or all Hallows' Eve, which is traditionally the celebration leading up to All Saints Day, a Holy Day where the "Church Militant" celebrates the "Church Triumphant"; also known as the Saints in Heaven.

Please remember that the term "militant" here does not mean against other people but against evil.

"For we are not struggling against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, the powers, and the cosmic rulers of this present darkness, and against the spirits of evil in the heavens." -Ephesians 6:12

As Christians we can choose to celebrate Halloween in a way that honors God by remembering our brothers and sisters in Christ who finished the race before us, who have something to teach us about the pursuit of holy living.

So have fun playing dress up just do so respectfully- you can even dress as your favorite Saint!

Carve the jack lantern while contemplating how God cleans out the nasty junk in us (like the pumpkin guts) and replaces it with the light of Christ.

Eat a little candy (just don't over do it) and think about our sweet Savior.

There are many beautiful and interesting Halloween traditions throughout various cultures.

But as we celebrate may we remember that we must not glorify evil but celebrate the victory we have over it in Christ Jesus!

So, whether you participate in Halloween, Harvest, or neither-let's not glorify evil, fear, violence, or destruction but the beautiful eternal life of our loved ones that we have lost temporarily and that we look forward to ourselves. Death is a part of life, and when we live a life with Jesus, death doesn't have to be scary.

Let's mourn when we need to and celebrate the hope of reunion with our faithful loved ones and all that their stories have to offer us in deepening our relationship with Christ.

Peace be with you and your Halloween festivities (if you so choose to participate)!