The good news of Halloween

Oh Halloween. The Christian parents' dilemma. Do we or don't we? If we join in are we teaching our kids that witches and devils are all fine? Are we teaching them to celebrate evil? If we don't join in are we overreacting, after all it's just dressing up and sweets and fun isn't it?

 

So far I have muddled through, feeling uncomfortable with either position. No more though, because this year Harry wants to 'do' Halloween. Luckily I have found a couple of things which have helped me unpack it all a bit, just in time!

 

Why are we nervous about Halloween? I think it's because there is such an emphasis on the dark and scary without anything on the good and the positive. I wonder how many of us have really examined what we believe about good and evil? How do we help our children face their fears?

 

This year I've done just that, by accident really, and am now more excited than ever to share my faith with my children. In his book 'Encounters with Jesus', Tim Keller talks about the different views on good and evil. There's dualism, where good and evil are equal and opposing forces, battling it out- but there's no certainty which one will win. There's monism, where reality consists of a single element, or in other words, what you think is bad isn't really, if only you could see it. Then there's Christianity, where good is most definitely separate to, and bigger and stronger than, evil, and there's no question which side will win. In fact, we believe the good already won, in the form of the One Good Man.

 

When it comes to matters of light and dark, good and evil, Christians have the best reason to celebrate, the best reason for not being afraid. As this blog says, our response to Halloween is for each of us to decide, but I am going with not hiding behind the curtain. With being the neighbour with the best sweets. We are going to have a light party at church, so our children can play at dressing up, paint some pumpkins and make lanterns, eat sweets and learn who has conquered their fears.

 

There are loads of ideas of things to do if you're not keen on Halloween. The book of Deuteronomy tells us to impress God's word on our children's hearts at every possible opportunity. This seems like a good one.

 

Treats not tricks- deliver sweets or baking to neighbours as a surprise.
World Vision is encouraging us to carve a heart into a pumpkin and donate £5 to help children who live in fear that is all too real.
Light party- an increasingly popular idea in churches. Some ideas here and here.
I've found the material from Scripture Union very helpful, both this blog post and their published material. They also have a lovely booklet illustrated by Catalina Echeverri (who has also illustrated some lovely children's bible stories.)

Life lessons from Doctor Who: compassion is a strength

'Like a hero who takes the stage when we're

on the edge of our seat saying

it's too late

Let me introduce you to amazing grace'

mercyme

Do you ever feel like you're witnessing a special moment in history? It hasn't happened to me often in my life, but it did recently. 

The stories were there- the war, the refugees, the boats full of desperate people. And the reactions of the politicians and the media were there- don't let them in- protect the borders, the likes of Katie Hopkins writing vitriol that sounded like Hitler, and getting published.

And then, That Picture- and suddenly, a wave of compassion, a critical mass of voices saying, enough! do something! Not just here but in Germany, Iceland, forcing the hands of politicians who were several steps behind. I have plenty of friends who post political and current news items on social media, but suddenly this was everyone. It felt amazing to see that despite a recent trend of unpleasant rhetoric of dehumanising people, most folk can see and recognize human suffering for what it is- another person in need. 

Someone has called compassion 'God's currency'- and there is plenty in circulation right now.

As you probably know, I have been collecting clothes to be shipped out to refugee camps across the Middle East. It has been so heart-warming to see people's generosity and thoughtfulness- to see them reflecting their Heavenly Maker's image whether they know it or not in their care for another, and living out His words that 'anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none'* and 'I needed clothes and you clothed me'.**

'You clothed me'.

'If you take your neighbour's cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, because that cloak is the only covering your neighbour has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.' Exodus 22

'But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love.' Psalm 103

'When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd'. Matthew 9

'Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after widows and orphans in distress' James 1












*Luke chapter 3
**Matthew chapter 25