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Halloween humbug

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” —Ephesians 5:8–9

A recent Facebook post about David Green, the founder/owner of Hobby Lobby, caught my eye. He and I share a similar view of Halloween. I could blame my Halloween humbug on my age, except for the fact that I’ve always felt this way! (It might have grown worse with age, however!)

I admire the Green family, who, like Chick-fil-A, have chosen to keep their stores closed on Sundays. The Facebook post this week reiterated his position to put his faith ahead of his profits in his life. The recent post said, “Hobby Lobby founder David Green says he walked away from more than $22 million in Halloween merchandise sales after becoming convinced that continuing to sell the products conflicted with his Christian beliefs.” There are very few people who could walk away from a $22 million profit, but the Green family knows and is committed to the One they are walking toward.

I’ve never been a fan of Halloween. I don’t like creepy, scary movies, and I don’t like skeletons with creepy, scary eyes. I was at Home Depot a few weeks ago and saw a little boy looking at a Halloween decoration, and he was terrified. Dad was trying to get him to like it, but it wasn’t working. 

I especially don’t like the idea that Halloween is based on notions that have a lot more to do with Satan and the occult than with the things of God. I don’t much care for celebrating the darkness. Honestly, I am like the Scrooge of Halloween, and I just want to say “humbug” to the whole holiday.

According to an article from the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend a record 13.5 billion dollars on Halloween this year, up from last year’s record 13.1 billion! Apparently, I belong to the 26th percentile of Americans who don’t plan to celebrate next week. 

The NRF article says, “Activities like handing out candy (61%), dressing in costume (50%), decorating their home or yard (42%), carving pumpkins (42%) and watching scary movies (42%) are the top ways consumers mark the occasion. That adds up to an average expense of $115.14 per person.” 

That means Jim and I can spend $230 on a new Christmas decoration! (Let me confess I’ve already spent a bit more than that already!)

I say “humbug” for some good reasons

According to CBS News, the crime rate typically rises by 17 percent on Halloween night. The article attributes the increase to vandalism, drinking, crowds of strangers able to hide behind masks, and the fact that people are supposed to open their doors to whoever rings the doorbell that night. The holiday is no longer a time for neighborhood children to trick-or-treat in fun costumes; many use it as a way to steal from unsuspecting neighbors. 

Many churches host Halloween events as a community outreach, but those events usually take place in addition to the evening of the 31st and not as a replacement for Halloween. A LOT of candy is given and consumed as a result. As a former schoolteacher, I can tell you that the day after Halloween was usually a rough day in the classroom!

Does Halloween harm?

Rhonda Robinson wrote an excellent article about Halloween for Focus on the Family. I think she offers a great position for Christians to consider about the holiday. She has personal reasons for not wanting to celebrate the holiday, just like I do. Our reasons are different, but the outcome is the same. In the end, every Christian should spend some time giving this holiday some thought. It isn’t as innocuous as the culture would like us to believe.

Spiritually, we all need to make a Halloween choice. I know it is a fun day for a lot of people, and I recognize that I am in a small minority. I have just chosen to “avoid” most things Halloween. I don’t like celebrating the darkness. Additionally, I worked in a mission for many years and learned that the vast majority of our Latino population struggles with diabetes as they grow older. That disease contributes to several other significant health issues. A doctor friend explained that their culture is not genetically able to process sugar the way ours is. The mission I worked at stopped giving out items laden with sugar as a result.

The main reason I am a Halloween humbug is the connection the holiday has with the occult. The passage that most often speaks to me is Ephesians 5:8–9. Paul told the church in Ephesus, “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”

Whatever you choose to do with Halloween is a personal decision that should be Spirit-led. I agree with Rhonda Robinson, who said, “You, too, have the freedom in Christ to follow the conviction of your own heart through the Holy Spirit. So that, whatever your family decides, others might see Christ working through you, and you can be a light in the darkness of a fallen world.”

Halloween humbug?

I must confess, I will likely continue to say “humbug” about Halloween, but I also hope that I will give God permission to interrupt my humbug any time he chooses. I plan to stay home and ignore the holiday, but I always want to accept any changes that God wants to make to my plans. After all, Jeremiah 29:11 begins with the words: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.

I hope all of you will enjoy God’s plan for your Halloween and the coming holiday season as well. All we have to do is ask the Lord for his plan, and we will. Truthfully, it isn’t because I don’t care about my neighbors, it’s because I do! I hope my “dark house” will give me the chance to carefully share my thoughts with someone who might ask. I’ll admit the Green family’s decision caused me to feel better about my Halloween humbug. 

Whatever you choose to do next week, choose what the Holy Spirit has led you to do, and you will be blessed. 

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Paul’s advice for those who are weary of the eerie and feeling a bit grinchy

Tomorrow is Halloween, and I am glad it is finally here. I’m always okay when October flies by, and this one has. Halloween has become increasingly popular—and increasingly eerie. But I’m not a fan of this holiday’s ghoulish, dark festivities, commercials, and programming. You could call me the Grinchette who stole Halloween. Still, I understand and appreciate how many churches try to use Halloween to do some good outreach while passing out candy. 

Nevertheless, I’ll be glad when all the eerie inflatable decor is exchanged for air-filled turkeys, pumpkins, and pilgrims. Then, those will be set aside for all the Santas, Christmas trees, and sleighs. I’d prefer to skip Halloween and just celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a new year.

Eerie is big business

I don’t think I will be able to wish away Halloween any time soon. According to one news story, “The National Retail Federation’s annual Halloween consumer survey found total Halloween spending in 2024 is expected to reach $11.6 billion, with $3.8 billion of that going to costumes.” The same report said that some costumes this year cost almost $200. I still remember the year I cut holes for my arms and legs into a big box and went trick or treating as a computer. I used up some of my mom’s aluminum foil, but otherwise, the costume was free.

You can probably spend a bit more on the eerie Halloween decor and costumes this year because Thanksgiving turkeys are supposed to cost 13% less this November. However, if you also serve ham at your meal, you will pay 5.2 % more for that.

The best part of this Thanksgiving will be watching the football games without the numerous political ads. The election will have been decided before the holiday arrives. That said, you may want to throw an extra bottle of Tums into your grocery cart just in case the family gets into a heated conversation over the election results while consuming that turkey and ham. 

I won’t even mention the Christmas season yet, even though we’ll begin to see some of those decorations next week! Weary of the eerie leads to being thankfully rushed into the busiest and most festive season of the year. We do love our holidays!

This Grinchette will look for her heart

Dr. Seuss’ story of the Grinch is famous. At the end of the story, the townspeople’s joy causes the Grinch’s heart to grow three times its size. His new, larger heart leads him to return all the toys, food, and decorations he stole from Cindy Lou and the rest of the town. Everyone has a wonderful holiday after all.

What can we do when we become weary of the eerie? Are you tired of turkeys on the table and on the tv? And what do you do if you have become a Grinch or a Grinchette about the Christmas season and schedule?

The next couple of months will happen, and we need to be ready emotionally, financially, and most especially spiritually.

Seek God, and you will find him

I was teaching from the book of Philippians when I read a familiar passage in a new light. Paul wrote these words while being held under house arrest by the Roman government. We have a lot of profound Scripture today because Paul spent almost two years confined to a house, able to think, pray, and write. 

When Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, he told them why he was content even though imprisoned. He said, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). That is a well-known and often quoted verse, but when read in its context, it is rich with biblical advice for every Christian.

Right before Paul spoke about being content, he taught the church how to live in a way that pleases God. If we heed Paul’s advice to the Philippians, we will know how to seek God and find him. Paul would tell us that this is how we live our faith for the upcoming season of holidays and every day that follows in the new year. Paul told the Philippians (and us), “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:4–9).

The God of peace will be with us, too

Paul taught us what to do if we want “the God of peace” to be with us. Joy is our reward. Christian character is our choice. The peace of God is our strength. The presence of God is his gift. If we choose to live with the holy character Paul described, we will enjoy these next months and years filled with the peace of God through his Holy Spirit.

The eeriness of Halloween reminds us that we live in a dark world without God’s light. Our deepest gratitude at Thanksgiving is grounded in the eternal hope that Jesus has provided us through our salvation. How we “practice” our faith is the best way to seek and find the God of peace, especially as we kneel before the holy infant of Christmas.

“If there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” That is how we overcome being weary of the eerie and all the other stress of the holidays and celebrate each day ahead with joy. (And, by the way, your heart could grow to be three times its original size according to “Seuss 12:1–2.”).

Let me be the first to wish you all happy, holy holidays ahead and encourage you to spend each coming day knowing the God of peace has filled your life with his presence, peace, and joy. Christians have a LOT to celebrate . . . especially after tomorrow.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Why should we consider Christmas before Halloween?

The kids are planning their costumes for Halloween. The news is already discussing the shortage of turkeys and the cost of this year’s Thanksgiving meal. The airlines are scheduling holiday travel and the big box stores are already lining their aisles with Christmas trees. We have reached that time of year when one holiday merges right into the next. 

It is the “most wonderful time of the year” in many ways. 

That said, there are many people who have arrived in this country who will want to celebrate Christmas but might not have a home or the means to do that this year. The entire population of Ukraine is likely to have the most difficult Christmas season of their lives. 

Every Christmas season has its own unique stories, but every Christmas season is truly about the original Christmas story. That is why we should consider Christmas now, before Halloween.

These holidays are something most people have in common

Embedded in this long holiday season will be a political election that promises controversy. Some of the issues making our news may also gather around our Thanksgiving tables and Christmas celebrations.  

It will be easy to know the things we disagree about, but what do we have in common? 

I was outside of a Trader Joe’s supermarket this week and saw a sign that stated their company values. It said things like integrity, kindness, courtesy, quality, friendly, helpful, and top quality. It struck me when I looked at the sign how much most people have in common. Who doesn’t appreciate high standards and great character? 

We all have a lot of differences these days, and it was good to realize that we also have a whole lot in common. 

The holiday season is a great time to remember that most of us share similar goals in life, even if we believe there are different paths to reaching those goals. It might help if we would focus more on what we have in common than what we consider to be our differences. 

“Happy” Halloween?

I like the pumpkins but not the skeletons. I enjoy the kids in cute costumes but not the adults who scare the kids with what they chose to wear. I probably wouldn’t mind Halloween if it were celebrated as it was intended, the eve of All Saints’ Day. The saints are worth celebrating, not Satan. 

A verse for Halloween: “O you who love the Lᴏʀᴅ, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 97:10). A happy Halloween is remembering we live to honor the saints and celebrating the fact Christians are delivered from all things evil or wicked. 

A day for thanksgiving

I have always loved Thanksgiving. I love the food, the football, and the idea that we should take a day to be truly thankful for the lives we are blessed to live. I am thankful for my family, my friends, and mostly for the faith we share. God deserves our praise and our expressions of gratitude. It is good for our souls to be thankful. 

My favorite verse for Thanksgiving is: “Oh give thanks to the Lᴏʀᴅ, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (1 Chronicles 16:34). 

God is good and deserves our deepest gratitude. 

A Christmas about Christ

Every year I am determined to celebrate Christmas with greater simplicity. I sometimes wish for the holidays I see pictured in movies. Busy schedules, various cities, and diverse families often don’t blend during the holidays. In many ways, Christmas seems more about scheduling than celebrating. 

But one thing holds firm. Christmas is the story of Christ. 

Christmas is about “Joy to the World” that arrived on one “O Holy Night.” 

Christmas is about the “Angels from the Realms of Glory” who announced that “Love Came Down at Christmas.” 

Christmas is about how “Good Christian Men, Rejoice” and the time “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” 

Mostly, Christmas is about “The First Noel” and the “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” that “The Little Drummer Boy” worshiped.  

Every Christmas is celebrated with important traditions that just need a few adjustments each year. Even in changing seasons, the theme of Christmas will always be the same: “O Come All Ye Faithful” to praise, sing, and pray, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” 

Why should we consider Christmas before Halloween?

This year’s Advent Book is a second printing of The Songs Tell the Story, first published for Christmas 2019. I wrote it as a reminder that the great hymns of Christmas tell us the true and timeless story of our Christmas season.  

We sold out early in 2019, and many people expressed a desire to purchase more copies than we had to share. This year, we are taking preorders so that, hopefully, everyone who wants a copy can receive one. As always, many of our donors will be sent a copy as our gift, but if you would like additional copies, you can preorder those now. 

Why should we consider Christmas before Halloween? 

Because, while all the holidays are special, Christmas and Easter are truly “holy-days” for Christians. 

Our ministry wants to help you keep your Christmas holiday focused on the pure story of our Savior’s birth. The Songs Tell the Story is something you and your family can share this Christmas season, and we hope it will bless your holiday. 

The Apostle John said that Jesus, “the true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world” (John 1:9). Jesus is the “light of the world,” and sharing the celebration of his birth is something most people have in common. I hope this year’s Advent book, The Songs Tell the Story, will help you spend time with Christ each day of your holiday season. 

Let the holiday season begin! And may the holiday be a holy-day. 

Preorder The Songs Tell the Story here. 

 

P. S. While supplies last, you may request both the adult and children’s editions of The Songs Tell the Story for your donation of $50 or more.

Photo by Erica Marsland Huynh on Unsplash

The thing that spooks me

I’m not a huge fan of Halloween.

In fact, I’m usually glad when October passes and we begin to look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas—my favorite holidays. 

There is one thing that really does spook me about Halloween: the fact that it seems to roll around a lot faster these days. 

I’d always heard . . .

People who have seen their fiftieth birthday and beyond are probably agreeing with the last statement I made, while those in their thirties and forties might not. I’ve always thought it is so odd that when people reach a less-scheduled, slower time of life it seems like time flies on a Concorde jet. (And that illustration is probably only for the people old enough to know what the Concorde jet was.) 

It seems like the passage of time should slow down when we slow down, not the other way around. A friend told me something that I won’t forget. She and I both love to travel and see new things. She said she had always heard: 

The decade of the sixties means “go-go.”
The decade of the seventies means “slow go.”
And, the decade of the eighties means “no go” or “rarely goes.” 

Traveling is going to be high on my list of priorities! (Yes, that is a hint to my age!) I just think it’s important to use our “fourth quarter” to win the game. 

When I sat at my dad’s funeral, I remember thanking the Lord because I had few regrets. It is an important standard for my earthly life and my spiritual life. 

Good advice should be followed

Wisdom is hearing good advice and taking it! 

As you read these words, I’m on a plane, returning from a wonderful time in Vermont. The leaves are just beginning to turn in the mountains and hiking the beautiful trails was an amazing experience. I have a lot of pictures that I will want to keep. 

As I hiked the trails, I couldn’t help but appreciate this good advice from Scripture too. James was the half-brother of Jesus and probably became the leader of the Christian church in Jerusalem after Peter was forced to flee. What would it be like to have grown up with Jesus as the older brother, worked with him, been upset with him in public, and then later learn that this person you had known your whole life was the long-awaited Messiah? 

I imagine James had his share of regrets over a few moments with Jesus. 

In the letter that bears his name, James gave Christians some great practical advice. He said, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:13–15). 

I sometimes wonder if that was advice Jesus had given his younger brother during their growing-up years. 

Why is it we naturally look down the road making plans that often don’t come to pass? I don’t think James was suggesting we don’t have goals or dreams. Instead, James was saying that we should all be abundantly aware of the fact that walking closely with God’s Spirit doesn’t include a five-year plan. 

In fact, I’m not sure it includes a five-day plan very often! 

Our life is an ethereal mist

Halloween gets one thing right. Have you ever noticed when Hollywood wants something to be scary it usually occurs at night, with a heavy fog or mist? That’s practically biblical! 

James said our lives are just a mist that appears for a little while and vanishes. He wasn’t meaning to scare us but to teach us how much we should value every day. 

James wanted us to know that the most important use of our time was to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that” (4:15). I’m glad it was the Lord’s will for Jim and me to hike the mountains of Vermont and enjoy the beauty of the changing season. Nature is truly one of the most elaborate displays of the greatness of God. 

Seasons change and so do the pages of our calendars

This is a short blog post because, well, I’ve been on vacation! I’m in the “go-go” decade of my life, and I plan to follow my friend’s good advice. 

I hope I will follow James’ good advice as well, for the rest of my life. The seasons come and go. In fact, they are beginning to come and go more quickly every year! I do want to enjoy every moment of my life until the Lord chooses for the mist to become my life eternal. 

Until then, if it’s God’s will, I’m going to live, work, and travel according to whatever plans I make that God can honor and bless.  

The changing seasons are our constant reminder.

God didn’t have to create our world with changing seasons. He didn’t have to cause the leaves to turn glorious colors and then fall to the ground. The trees will be bare until, once again, the leaves bloom in the spring.  

God created this world as a reminder that we are always moving forward. Time is always passing, and our days on earth are passing.  

The key to living this life well is to take James’ advice. Make plans, do “this and that,” and allow God to interrupt and redirect our lives at any moment. He is Lord. His will is for us to accomplish everything he has planned for our earthly lives—so that he can fully bless our eternal life in heaven. 

Honestly, if my heavenly view could look like Vermont in the fall, I would be thrilled! 

Enjoy whatever God has planned for you to do this week and every week that follows. We will have a lot to look forward to because we have chosen to walk through life with him.