HALLOWEEN
Halloween is a ‘religious day,’ but not a Christian day. The modern holiday we call Halloween has its’ origins in the full moon closest to November 1st, the witches’ New Year. It was a time when the spirits were supposed to be at their peak power and revisiting the earth.
The origin of Halloween is the Celtic festival of Samhain, lord of death and evil spirits. The druids worshipped nature and celebrated the new year on October 31st. These practices predate Christianity. They believed that on October 31st, Samhain assembled the spirits of all who had died during the previous year.
These spirits had been confined to inhabit animals’ bodies for the past year as punishment for their evil deeds. They were permitted to return to their former homes to visit the living on the eve (Oct.31) of the feast of Samhain.
Druid priests led the people in diabolical worship ceremonies in which horses, cats, black sheep, oxen, human beings and other offerings were rounded up, stuffed into wicker cages and burned to death. This was done to appease Samhain and keep spirits from harming them. The priests would go from house to house asking for fatted calves, black sheep and human beings. Those who gave were promised prosperity and those who refused were cursed and threatened.
It was thought that the wandering spirits would get hungry. If you set out a treat for them they would not curse you. Hence we have the origin of Trick or Treat. Trick or Treat is a reenactment of the druid practices. The candy has replaced animal/human sacrifices and is an appeasement of deceptive spirits. The traditional response to those who did not treat is to have a trick played on them.
This holiday was believed to be a favorable time for telling fortunes concerning marriage, luck, health and death. It was the only day in which the help of the Devil was invoked for such purposes. It was time to placate the supernatural powers controlling the processes of nature.
Some mistakenly believe that Halloween is actually the celebration of All Saints’ Day. There is even the expression “All Hallows Eve.” Nowhere in church history was here any origin of All Saints Day as a November 1st celebration. In fact, the origin of All Saints Day was celebrated on May 31st.
Through the Middle Ages the customs of the druids had an effect on the celebration of the November 2nd feast of “All Souls Day.” The belief was that the souls in Purgatory would appear as willow-wisps, ghosts, toads, witches and the like to persons who had offended them during their lives. Satanic cults celebrate Halloween with black masses and quasi-religious ceremonies in mockery of Christian rites.
Jack-O-Lantern has its origins with pagan practices. The candle lit pumpkin or skull served as a sign to mark homes sympathetic to the satanists and thus deserving of mercy. The older edition of World Book Encyclopedia defines Jack-O-Lantern as an ancient symbol of a damned soul.
Costumes originated with druid death rites. As animals and people (the sacrifices) burned to death, he observers would dress in costumes made of animal skins and heads. They would dance and chant and jump through the flames in hopes of warding off the evil spirits.
The Pilgrims barred celebrating Halloween in America. This ban lasted until 1845. At that time thousands of immigrants flooded into New York. They brought Halloween with them and it spread throughout the country.
To be a Christian today demands strength and consistency. To be a Christian today is to deny much of what the world is telling us what is right and good. To stand on God’s Word is to be accused of fanaticism or extremism. One must either resolutely deny, combat and persecute Christianity or one must really live it. We must remember that to be called a Christian is at the same time to be sent as one.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem once said, “You are called Christians. Be careful of that name. Let not our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, be blasphemed on your account.”
"Watch and pray, therefore, that you would be counted worthy to escape the judgment that is coming upon the earth and be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
Maranatha!
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