A time of disguises, candy and fun!
One of my greatest joys as a child was trick or treat. The day before Halloween, the children of our little union church in Dyer, would go out and trick or treat for UNICEF. We had little milk cartons with UNICEF printed on them, and a slot for people to put change in. We loved the fact we were doing something good and in such a fun way. Then the next day we got to go out and Trick or Treat for ourselves! We never had a store-bought costume, but came up with some wild ones just the same, hobos and Ghost being the most readily available. We carried paper bags and cried when the apples people gave made the bottom break out, spilling our booty all over the sidewalk. We quickly learned pillowcases worked the best and could be thrown over the shoulder when they became too heavy. We were never afraid, or felt threatened, but always went as a group of some kind. The local Lyons Club would have a party at the elementary school gym, where hot chocolate and donuts were handed out just before the costume contest. Getting home exhausted, we still had enough energy, (probably a sugar high) to sort through our loot! What a memory!
Now, whether for safety, laziness, or some other misguided reason, the children today are robbed of one of the most fun experiences of their young lives! Imagination, pretending, playacting, are important parts of child development. Don’t sell short the wonders of a great Halloween experience! Yes, they may, (if they are very young, as the costumes have become very life-like), get scared, but that is why you are there to reassure them and to protect them from the boogeyman and the goblins. And to assure them that it is all just pretend. You can use this night as a teaching tool, for stranger danger, etc.., but don’t rob them of this experience because you are too tired, or have no imagination. Even store-bought costumes will be fun, and give the kids the giggles, and lets face it, there can never be too many giggles!
As parents we need to teach our children to be generous, sharing and caring. Of course in this day and age, you have to check the candy, against the evil that is in our daily lives. Instruct them on safety, and what to do if dangerous situations arise. This is not just on Halloween, but on every day of the year. Teach them to have a close walk with the LORD, who will never leave them or forsake them no matter the circumstances. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen
We as authors can do so many things with paper and ink! We can make the boogie man jump right off the page and into someone’s face. Let us be careful to have good always triumph over evil, and not give the powers of darkness a toehold in our real world.
For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
Romans 14:2-5, 10-14
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Colossians 2:8, 16