| Samhain: Halloween's Origins | | | | apples, black cats, witches and more grew out |
| | | | of Samhain in one way or another. As |
| The Celts were an ancient Irish people group | | | | Halloween becomes more unique to our American |
| that practiced the feast of Samhain | | | | culture, its roots in Samhain have been |
| (pronounced Sah-ween). During this autumnal | | | | largely forgotten. |
| period, the Celtic priests, also known as | | | | |
| druids, would perform sacrifices to pagan | | | | Christians and Halloween: How Should We |
| gods. It was believed that the undead would | | | | Respond? |
| rise from the grave during Samhain and cause | | | | |
| destruction across the countryside. To | | | | There are many things to consider when |
| appease these spirits, the druids would make | | | | discussing the value of participating in this |
| their way from home to home looking for crop, | | | | holiday. First, it's important to realize |
| animal, and even human sacrifices. They would | | | | that many of the holidays we celebrate, even |
| wear ghastly costumes to resemble the undead | | | | Christmas and Easter, have roots in pagan |
| spirits. This ancient ritual is where we get | | | | celebrations. Christmas and Easter, the most |
| the "treat" part of the popular | | | | sacred of Christian festivities are based on |
| "trick-or-treat" custom. Today we hand out | | | | the pagan feast of Saturnalia and the birth |
| candy instead of sacrifices. | | | | of the false god Ishtar, respectively. Should |
| | | | the fact that people once worshipped pagan |
| All Saints Day: Halloween Grows Up | | | | deities on the same days as what we now |
| | | | worship our Lord affect our ability to enjoy |
| When Christianity came to the Celtic regions, | | | | these customs? It's something to think about, |
| the church attempted to overcome these pagan | | | | homeschoolers. |
| rituals. Rather than putting an end to | | | | |
| Samhain altogether, they introduced Christian | | | | One more thing. Just because your homeschool |
| imagery into the pagan rituals. Pope Boniface | | | | family does not choose to participate in |
| IV announced All Saint's Day in the seventh | | | | Halloween for any reason other than just to |
| century. Instead of worshipping false gods | | | | have some fun doesn't mean that there are |
| with Samhain sacrifices, this would be a day | | | | those out there who have much more deviant |
| to honor famous saints and martyrs. October | | | | purposes for the holiday. Satanists, witches, |
| 31st, the night before All Saint's Day became | | | | and warlocks do exist and they view Halloween |
| All Hallow's Eve (hallow meaning "saint"). | | | | as their most sacred day. This is why we read |
| Many of the pagan rituals unfortunately | | | | about twisted acts of animal sacrifices and |
| lingered. At this time, another local custom | | | | other deviant behaviors the day after |
| was integrated into this jumble of pagan and | | | | Halloween. It's important that whatever your |
| Christian traditions. Mischief Night was a | | | | homeschool family chooses to do that you put |
| night during which children were allowed to | | | | safety first. |
| perform all kinds of pranks and tomfoolery | | | | |
| without the threat of severe punishment. This | | | | As Christian homeschoolers, I believe we have |
| is where the "trick" in "trick-or-treat" | | | | the opportunity to use Halloween as a tool to |
| comes from. | | | | reach the lost. Please consider this Bible |
| | | | verse: |
| The Irish Immigration: Halloween is | | | | |
| Americanized | | | | "But as for you, you meant evil against me; |
| | | | but God meant it for good, in order to bring |
| These customs remained unique to Ireland | | | | it about as it is this day, to save many |
| until the mass-exodus that occurred from | | | | people alive." -Genesis 50:20 |
| Ireland during the Potato Famine. The Irish | | | | |
| people, descendants of the Celts, brought | | | | Can we turn this weapon of Satan against him |
| many of the customs to American shores. One | | | | and use it for the glory of our Lord? Cannot |
| in particular, the practice of carving | | | | God take what the Evil One meant for harm and |
| turnips or beets into lanterns to represent | | | | turn it into good? The Bible teaches us that |
| undead souls underwent an interesting | | | | through the redemptive power of Christ's |
| evolution. Unable to locate a good supply of | | | | death, we have power over Satan's tricks. I |
| turnips and beets, the Irish found a | | | | encourage homeschoolers everywhere to think |
| substitute in pumpkins. This is where we get | | | | of ways to reach the lost during the season |
| the popular jack-o-lantern. Bobbing for | | | | of Halloween. |