Celtic in origin, Halloween celebrates the mid point for the Celts between the autumnal equinox and the beginning of the winter and the New Year celebrated on November 1st. The Celtic tradition held that demonic possession was most likely on this day so the people that believed this myth dressed in costumes to make themselves look like demons and witches. It was believed that by wearing these costumes the wearer of the costume would be protected against the demonic possession. During this time sweets were offered around bon fires as the participant believed this brought protection.
Eventually during the ninth century of the Common Era the Catholic Church proclaimed that November 1st was “All Saints’ Day”. In the west “All Saints’ Day” is still kept on November 1st as it was instituted by Pope Gregory IV in 837 CE.
Considering that Halloween is a festival not found in the scriptures it would be hard to imagine that those who believe in the Heavenly Father participate in such an observance. The fact is that a majority of the Christian world observes Halloween and is resistant to giving it up. Many of the proponents to Halloween defend it as a tradition and not a religious observance. For those proponents I ask if it is just a tradition then why are the original pagan Celtic practices still found in today’s observance. Just the costumes alone should be a clue that the origin of dressing as a witch or other satanic figure goes back to the time of when this was done to scare off evil spirits. Unfortunately to the benefit of the proponents of the pagan holiday common sense is not a part of Halloween at all.
Adults celebrate Halloween today with parties while their young adults destroy the neighborhood. Needless to say no aspect of Halloween is reflective of the fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5 reads, “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.” One example of how Halloween goes against the fruit of the spirit is kindness and goodness; if a trick-or-teater doesn’t get the kind of candy they want it is not uncommon for the child to vandalize the person’s property. Halloween is contradictory to Galatians 5:22-23. A better match for Halloween would be Galatians 5:19-21 which reads, “19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, 21 envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of Yahweh.”
Halloween resembles exactly the practices that will lead to a person not inheriting the kingdom of Yahweh. Proponents of Halloween rely on their own understanding and have led much of the world astray. Perhaps if the Catholic Church would have never incorporated “All Saints’ Day” into their worship we wouldn’t hear of Halloween today. With the allure for both adults and children it is doubtful that this Celtic custom would have ever been any different than it is today. For many Christians the acceptance of Halloween by the Catholic Church is like a stamp of approval.
You have made a vow that you believe in Yahshua the Messiah and you will follow Him through out your life. It is time to give up on the religion of the world which is sin the result of which is death. Halloween holds no lesson for the believer in truth.
2 John 1:4 I rejoice greatly that I have found certain of thy children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.