Tomorrow, October 31, was the second largest commercial holiday in the United States, second only to Christmas. Perhaps Black Friday has ooched into the stats now. As I flew back to Florida last week from visiting my son’s family, the two ladies in the seats next to me chatted quite animatedly about how their families decorated their houses for Halloween and really did very little for Christmas any more. In Kenya, one year when my children were young, I chatted with my house workers about our holiday. She looked at me aghast. Why would anyone dress up like an evil spirit or like a dead person? My bubble was burst. When we were in a remote area previously my friends shared that they had a holiday when milk libations were poured on the ground and bits of food were given to children who came begging. Where did Halloween originate? Halloween is a combination of “hallowed meaning holy” and “eve meaning the evening before.” November 1st is All Saints Day and tomorrow, October 31st, is the night before.
As the Romans entered the British Isles they met the Celtic celebration of Samhain, which was a New Year’s Day celebration and the beginning of the dark time of the year. It was considered a “thin place” or time when the boundary between the seen and unseen worlds. It was believed that spirits could cross over. We might call it the “Twilight Zone.” The ghosts of dead people could visit the living. So large bonfires were built and sacrifices offered to appease these spirits. The Romans had their own celebration for the passing of the dead, Pomona. The apple was their symbol. In 609 CE Pope Boniface IV declared May 19 as the day for the celebration of the lives of martyrs but later this date was moved to November 1. By the 9th century All Saints Days was firmly established as November 1. The “eve of All Saints Day” or Halloween was October 31. Costumes were worn in these celebrations to hide from the spirits of the dead who were believed to roam around seeking “treats” or threatening “tricks.”
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the Wittenberg church door calling for public debate. He opposed the belief that the dead could return to life and seek help in their after life. He opposed indulgences as acts of good deeds to help the dead spend fewer years in purgatory. He opposed the authority of the Pope in selling indulgences. The newly invented printing press spread Luther’s challenges and so the Protestant Reformation is dated to October 31, 1517.
As Christians, we do not believe we need to wear costumes to hide from evil. We do not believe deceased ancestors return to play tricks on us. We do believe evil was defeated on the cross. And we certainly believe in welcoming the children in our neighborhood and getting to know people. We need not fear for we know Christ is alive and that is not a trick. It is a treat! Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 