I suppose I just wanted to say that because this time of year, and it was no different this year, we often hear a good deal of ridiculous talk from various Christian leaders across the evangelical-catholic spectrum, who are way too concerned about the "evils" of Halloween. Let the kids have fun. Let the adults have fun too! Who doesn't like an excuse to eat a few pieces of candy?
But when you really delve into where Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, comes from you learn that, sure it has pagan roots (so does the Christmas tree, the Easter egg and a whole lot of other things we have convinced ourselves are Christian), but it is deeply embedded into a Christian way of understanding the mystery of death, which, for us, is deeply connected with the mystery of life. The living and the dead live in an on-going community called the Communion of Saints. All Hallows Eve is essentially the vigil of that feast we call All Saints and is a way of commemorating the waiting that is the hallmark of the Christian faith.
Sure the way Halloween is celebrated in the secular world does not reflect much of this, but neither does the way the secular world celebrate Christmas reflect the religious nature of the holiday - and no one is calling for the banning of Christmas. Enjoy those few pieces of candy, admire the really creative costumes you might see, and thank God that God keeps us in communion with all the living and the dead in the unity of Christ. It is a great gift that celebrates all of life in its various manifestations. Happy All Hallows.
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