Trick or Treat

It is that time again. Ending of the month of October with the nationwide experience of Halloween. We could go down that road of its history. That would be the tradional thing to do, but that would be boring. Let us focus on what Halloween has become.

I remember a time long ago as a young boy in the neighborhood on Halloween night. I was dressed as a pirate my friends as an astronaut and the other a cowboy. It dates back a while. We would walk for blocks and blocks. Each one flooded with children in costumes. Laughter and giggles filled the streets. Joy and excitement a dentist could love a time of innocents now long gone.

Today the commercialization of the holidays is the main theme. Retailers now pushing products endorsed by the Hollywood movie industry. Halloween products ordered from suppliers over six months ago to be shipped in time for the holiday. Many of the items on the shelf have returned from storage inventories from the previous year. Perhaps they will sell this year? Video stores, TV, and movie houses around the country release their latest stories of horror to entice our pagan roots.

As Christians we try to point out the evil involved in this season. Our critics are quick to point out the carnage found in our Holy Bible. How David cut the head off of Goliath in 1 Samuel Chapter 17. Again they point out the story of the execution of John the Baptist in Mark Chapter 6:24-28 the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The history of the church has its bloody tale too. Crusades that used force to convert entire populations that continues to rebel against the truth to this day.

How we have missed the point that the instrument of death, the cross, was turned into a symbol of life through Christ Jesus.

With many youngsters coming to your front door this Halloween. Do we see an opportunity to witness to them? Along with candy could we also include a gospel track? Perhaps even an invitation to visit us at church? What about an announcement about an upcoming youth activity at your local church?

What if we went as far as to set-up a living manger scene rather than a haunted house display? Reminding everyone of the gift available at all times and not just on Christmas.