It’s that time of year again. While in general, October is my favorite time, I can do without the end of the month.

Yesterday, we were driving along and turned the corner to meander through a cute little town. It was picturesque, complete with adorable pumpkin and hay bale displays at each street corner.

Then we started to pass several churches near the center of town. Their signage was nearly the same. Fall festival…Family Fun Night…Trunk or Treat…October 31st.

Now, around a decade ago, I attended these “fall festivals” with my children. We dressed our children up in costume as did everyone else, gave them their pumpkin pails to collect candy, and we were off.

Over time, the Spirit of God started to convict me about this. Sure, this seemed fun. Our kids enjoyed it. But why exactly were we doing it?

If there wasn’t a little holiday called “Halloween” right around the corner, would we dress our children up to collect candy?

I really don’t think so.

Related: Grieving Halloween

We are to be imitators of good and not evil. Say what you’d like, but Halloween is pretty much evil. Yes, I know about the history of the Catholic All Hallow’s Eve (which is not at all Biblical, by the way), but even that stemmed from wicked pagan practices from long ago. Given the history of Halloween, and how the purpose of dressing in costume was to hide from spirits released from the dead on the 31st, I hesitate for my children to do the same.

This is not what church should look like. I’ve heard the “our kids need a safe Halloween alternative” argument as well. Unfortunately, I honestly believe this outreach model does more harm than good. Our children do not need to see their congregation supporting a watered down version of Halloween. They need to see it standing boldly against the culture, while preaching the truth of the Lord (YHWH). How’s that for an alternative?

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:21‭-‬22 KJV

The Greek word for “appearance” is eidos, which can mean: the external or outward appearance, form figure, shape, form, or kind.

While thinking about these things, I’d love to encourage you to consider Reformation Day more closely as well, which also falls on October 31st. After ditching Halloween, we celebrated Reformation Day for a time. We did an about face once we learned that Martin Luther was anti-Semitic, and some of his writings encouraged Hitler during his reign. You can read more about that here.

Related: Why We No Longer Celebrate Reformation Day

I know this topic can be tough. We want our children to have a good childhood, don’t we? Thankfully, I believe we can give our children an enjoyable and rich childhood without Halloween and it’s “alternatives.”

If we stick to the Word, and avoid what the culture (which is wicked) is doing in general, we will be on the right track.

We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; rather, the One born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

1 John 5:18‭-‬19 TLV

Yes, the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. If the culture at large is participating in a “holiday,” we probably should avoid acting the same way.

You can view me sharing my heart about this topic here: https://youtube.com/shorts/ZN9nsdh1GBs?feature=share

Anyhow, we can ask the Lord to renew our minds and hearts today. It’s the start of a new week, and there are so many beautiful opportunities to serve our families well. This morning I will be cleaning out a refrigerator and planting the last of my fall garden. Fun times!

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. Would you like to look for something special for the little ones in your life? Please stop by my Etsy shop or online store.