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