[Faith-talk] halow wean part one of two

[debby phillips]

You know, it's very possible to make something good out of 
something that may have been intended for evil.  AND I say MAY, 
not is.  We are human beings and I believe that it is inherent 
within our makeup to celebrate times and seasons.  The Church, in 
its wisdom understood this from the beginning and has endeavored 
to do that.  Many churches are using Halloween as a way to reach 
out to kids and parents that know nothing about the Lord.  I 
don't think that's wrong.  That's just good sense.  AT the risk 
of sounding crass, it's good marketing.

Last winter I read a book about some of the history of Christmas.  
There were excesses, and then people tried to tamp down on the 
celebration of Christmas.  But that never worked.  If Christians 
become the People of No then we make what we say about Jesus and 
His love inconsequential to the world, if not downright negative.  
It's a fine line, I know between celebrating something that 
perhaps has pagan roots in a way that is still honoring to God 
and yet gives people some fun and enjoyment.  I would much prefer 
to see a church have a Harvest party or some such and make sure 
that the kids have a good time and feel like inviting their 
friends to the party too, then to see churches become little 
fortresses of righteousness and tell the world how evil Halloween 
is.  Nature abhors a vacuum and so when that happens people do 
other things that don't include God at all.

There has, and always will be, disagreement around how we as 
Christians should, or should not celebrate holidays.  People are 
going to celebrate, so we should celebrate too, just make it 
something better.

I do recognize that in the spiritual realm there are people who 
do evil things.  But that doesn't mean that we have to.  I'll 
stop rambling now.    Peace,    Debby