Halloween

October 29, 2023
 
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
 
I don’t like Halloween.
 
Have you ever wondered about the origin of Halloween?  It celebrates the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a pagan religious celebration to welcome the harvest.  In that tradition, people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.  Over the years, the costumes kids wear no longer seem to ward off ghosts, but in fact, replicate and celebrate demons, ghosts, and sometimes evil itself.
 
Did you know that horror movies are the number one box office hits for Hollywood?  Movies that celebrate ghoulish things, people actually want to see.  Once in high school, my friends and I went to a Halloween horror movie.  Not expecting at all what I saw, midway through the movie, I went to the bathroom and vomited.  I never went back in to watch the rest of the movie.  I just waited for my friends in the lobby of the theatre.  I still don’t like horror movies.   (I’ve never watched Jurassic Park, either. 😊)
 
Exposing yourself to the horrors of the devil, just opens the door for him to enter in.  Once on the inside, he will anesthetize (make you numb) to his ways.  He will forever plague your imagination, your curiosity.  I still remember that movie scene that made me sick.  Call me a sissy if you want.  Not going to do that again.
 
Did you know that Christian tradition celebrates All Saints Day on November 1st?  It is a day to honor all the saints who have attained heaven.  Once again, the devil has hijacked the meaning of yet another Christian tradition by scheduling Halloween on the eve of All Saints Day.  Whatever that old devil can do to disrupt the faith, he will do.  All Saints Day isn’t the only Christian symbol Satan has hijacked.  He will hijack your soul, if you let him.
 
Oh, I’ll hand out candy to those who ask.  But with each piece in the sack, the child hears, “God bless you.”
 
There—I’ve said my piece.
 
God Bless You,
Pastor Allan
 
©2023 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved