Halloween (meaning Hallow or holy and Een, as in evening, or Eve as in the night before), is misunderstood. A Christian festival it began in the late 3rd Century, in the East, All Saints Day is 'a feast in honor of the martyrs of the whole world' and is celebrated tomorrow. The next day is All Souls Day, about honoring the memories of those in our families who we know have died in the faith and who we will see again one day. Today is the prayer vigil for the commemoration ahead. On this day in Europe for Centuries children went door to door, begging 'Soul Cakes' in return for praying for the souls of those departed, which in modern times became 'trick or treating'.

What concerns some is that the pagan festival of Samhein celebrated by the Celts was on this day. The Celtics believed the souls of the dead from the last year returned this night to visit the living for the last time. In Scotland, bonfires were lit on the hilltops and the people dressed in costumes (disguises) so any spirits harboring a grudge couldn't get revenge before leaving. But the Christian festival pre-dated the pagan festival so don't let the pagan element steal the celebration.

People coming to your door is a great opportunity to witness to them, give them a handful of candy and a tract about Jesus or a tiny scroll with a good bible verse on it. That said the modern secular holiday, now has some worrying aspects and safety issues, so as an alternative many churches now hold a "Light Party" for children instead of 'trick or treating'. They still get to dress up and can run off the sugar from all that candy in the church hall playing games etc. .

Reformation Day

This day in 1517, German Augustinian monk Martin Luther nailed to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, a list of 95 theological points he wished to debate ... and touched off the Protestant Reformation! The doors of churches were often utilized for posting public notices, Luther, having written his 95 theses, placed them on the All Saints (or Castle) Church doors on All Hallows Eve, where many who would attend the following All Saints Day observance would read it. But, it was the recent invention of the printing press that allowed Luther's theological points to be circulated throughout Europe. Martin Luther as such, is responsible for the Protestant Church. He used All Hallows Eve to make a proclamation for Christ and so can we.

In the midst of all your Halloween activity, pause and remember that this is really about tomorrow's remembrance of Christians who have passed on to their reward, that crowd of witnesses ever watching us!