Halloween Perspective

I've been subbing a lot lately. I hear a lot of "Happy Halloween" and talk of scary stories, dressing up, etc. It's not our thing. It's not my thing. Bill is into scary, gross stuff. My idea of scary is reading a book and the pages that tie the story line together are missing. Now THAT'S scary!

Josephine and Travers didn't dress up once they entered elementary school. They had a great principal at Ranchvale. He was from our church, Bill Pyle. Bill insisted Halloween festivities become "Fall Parties." No costumes. No skeletons. Just a fall celebration. It was great from this parent's perspective.

At home, we didn't go trick or treating. Instead of dressing Josephine & Travers in cheap costumes and dragging them to base housing or a packed mall for Halloween, Bill always said "I'll buy them a bag of candy. They don't need to go begging for it."

Jo informed me last week, almost apologetically, that Richard "did Halloween" when he was growing up. Still not sure what that meant... I do know they plan on greeting trick or treaters, with jack- o- lanterns by their front door and candy. I told her that was fine. I have no problem with it. I'm not sure what their views will be when they have children of their own. It's always interesting to watch these things evolve.

I do know our door will be locked. The lights in the front of the house will be turned off. We will buy candy. We always do. Bill will take it across the street to the neighbor's kids before trick or treating officially begins.

I have no Biblical perspective on this. I don't need one. Celebration or commeration of "Halloween" is stupid. I don't even need an "alternative" as so many churches offer. I'd rather spend my days celebrating Jesus.