Halloween or All Saints?

Halloween is a holiday that us Christians have a hard time figuring out. After all as we all know and see it originated from a pagan holiday. The case is there and I see no problem with those who choose to not celebrate or even take part in this holiday. With that said I also see where the early churches tried to make this holiday to remember those who had suffered for the cause if Christ. This still leaves us at what to do though. Here is some information on this holiday:

"The term "Halloween" is derived from "Hallowe'en", an old contraction, still retained in Scotland, Ireland and some parts of Canada, of "All Hallow's Even", so called as it is the evening (even, spoken also e'en, is an old word for evening; eve) before the feast of *(see other passage below) All Saints (an important day in the Christian calendar), which used to be called "All Hallows" derived from All Hallowed Souls. In Ireland, the name was Hallow Eve and this name is still used by some older people. Halloween was formerly also sometimes called All Saints' Eve. The holiday was a day of religious festivities in various northern European pagan traditions, until it was appropriated by Christian missionaries and given a Christian reinterpretation. In Mexico, All Saint's Day, following Halloween, is the Day of the Dead."

*"the feast of All Saints is now traced to the foundation by Pope Gregory III (reigned 731–741) of an oratory in St.Peter'ss for the relics "of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors, of all the just made perfect who are at rest throughout the world," with the day moved to November 1."

With that said and noticing all holidays. I ask you now what about New Years? You say what does that have to do with Halloween? Well my problem is that if you choose not to celebrate Halloweenn then you should not celebrate new years either. Here is some more reading for you about New Years:

"Among the7thh century druidic pagans of Flanders, it was the custom to exchange gifts at the New Year, a pagan custom deplored by Saint Eligius (died 659 or 660), who warned the Flemings, "[Do not] make vetulas, [little figures of the Old Woman], little deer or iotticos or set tables [for the house-elf, compare Puck] at night or exchange New Year gifts or supply superfluous drinks [another Yule custom]." The quote is from the vita of Eligius written by his companion Ouen."

Wow I didn't even know that. But the point is still there.

Here is another about our Christmas trees:

Among early Germanic tribes the Yule tradition was celebrated by sacrificing male animals, and slaves, by suspending them on the branches of trees. According to Adam of Bremen, in Scandinavia the pagan kings sacrificed nine males of each species at the sacred groves every ninth year. According to one legend, Saint Boniface attempted to introduce the idea of trinity to the pagan tribes using the cone-shaped evergreen trees because of their triangular appearance.

But you must realize that this was not attributed to Christmas season. But many will compare it to the trees we decorate.

We could go on and on about holidays and events. The ideas are there that even a holiday such as Christmas "CAN" be celebrated with the wrong reason. Many people celebrate the holiday and never celebrate the reason. New Years I watch the ball drop and say "Well it is another year that Christ can be glorified". Halloween I let my children dress up and go door to door to get candy. In no way do I allow pagan practices into our holiday events. But I also say that you are free to have your own convictions.

Who are you to condemn God's servants? (Read all of Romans 14)

So I hope that made it clear as mud. Personal convictions are important. So as this day comes and goes. Remember you are to act and live like a Christian. If you are out there vandalizing and causing havoc you are following the pagan practices of the original day. On the other case if you are out there being Salt and Light in a dark world. You are doing the most important thing.