Since October arrives, and the trees begin to say goodbye to their withered leaves, it seems as if the threads of a gigantic spider web were taking over the landscape, and a parade of gloomy witches, candles, and macabre skeletons were taking possession of the whole place. The offers from the stores do not wait, threatening to give a scare of prices to all those consumers who, among candies and sweets, fill their homes to await the little ghosts who on October 31 knock at the door and shout in chorus: trick or treat!
We all know the origin of this pagan celebration, linked to the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain (which means “end of summer”) that was celebrated in Ireland at the end of the harvest season. At that festival, rites were held to communicate with the dead. That is how it is celebrated today in its essence, although costumes, house decorations, and candies have been added so that it looks like an innocent and fun night of celebration, which for others is a night of human sacrifices, satanic rites, and initiation. And in the midst of that diabolical atmosphere it has been painful for me to find those who say they believe in God taking part in this dark festival of “costumes,” with the excuse of culture or tradition. Truly, what some use as a practice of faith is no concern of mine, but I do remember seeing my Master take up the whip when, because of the traditions of men, the commandments of God are set aside (Mark 7:9; Matthew 21:12; John 2:15).
Commenting on this once to an acquaintance, a believer of many years, he said to me: “You know? I take part so that my children do not feel excluded from society. Besides, we have been told that it is a good way to identify with the neighbor and to have open doors for preaching the Gospel in the neighborhood.” But I see that Jesus was always radical in establishing the purpose for which He came into this world: that God be Lord and King of all in all (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). And when, as He preached the Word, some were offended and turned back, and the disciples reproached Him, He said to them: “Do you perhaps want to go away also?” (John 6:67). And He went even further, before the one who, according to men, had the power to crucify Him or to save Him, He did not remain silent, but incriminated Himself, saying to Pilate: “You say that I am a king. I was born for this, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). Therefore, if we call ourselves Christians, because we follow Him, what testimony are we giving by going along with the current of this world?
Jesus said: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me; and whoever comes to me, I do not cast out” (John 6:37). Only God saves. We do not have to twist the truth or use flattering words in order to be accepted by sinners, for no man saves another; that is the work of the Holy Spirit. This is not of him who wills nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy. Whoever says he knows God and does not keep His commandments is lying, and the truth is not in him. So I do not write this as though you were ignorant of the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie comes from the truth, I urge you not to go along with the current of this world, because we are in the world, but we do not belong to it. Do not follow the traditions of men that lead more and more to ungodliness, turning away from the truth (John 2:4; 1 John 2:21; Titus 1:14).
This is the reason why I rise up in this cyber forum to leave among you this question: Is Halloween not a sweet apostasy, since they are disguising the truth with innocent candies for children and costumes of little princesses and superheroes? Are we not invalidating the commandment that God is the only one who should be praised and exalted, by celebrating the witches’ festival? How can we celebrate death if we worship the God of life? If Jesus were in our midst, do you think He would celebrate it…? But, I will say to those, paraphrasing, as Joshua said: And if being accepted by the world matters so much to you, choose today whom you will serve; if you will put bowls of candy at your doors so as -indirectly- not to close the doors to that devotion, or dress your children in “innocent” costumes -so as not to identify too much with the demons- and thus not be left out of the festivity; well, let me tell you that for my part, although it may seem radical: “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).
Let us set our minds on the things of God, and not on those of men” (Matthew 16:23). Let us implore God, with cry and supplication in the spirit, because it is necessary that we all walk in this life as is worthy of Him. Light has no fellowship with darkness. And we know that we are children of light and children of the day and not of the night nor of darkness (Thessalonians 5:5). It is fine that before, in another time, we took part in things we did not believe had greater significance. I myself must confess that in my first year living in the United States, I bought “innocent” costumes for my children, of superheroes and little mermaids, and I invested money in delicious candies, so as not to be left behind in the festivity. But after God revealed Himself to me, after He called me to a new life in Jesus Christ, His Word has become life in me: “… you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength; You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve” (Mark 12:30; Luke 4:8). Know most certainly that this celebration or “witches’ festival” is in open contradiction with these verses.
Our Lord Jesus Christ must be the only reason for our praise, because He is the only one who must be exalted, esteemed, celebrated, for He alone is God. He alone is worthy. I pray to our heavenly Father to open the eyes of understanding of our brothers and sisters, because what we ask is not that they convert to any religion, nor accept any philosophy, much less act in a certain way, only that they understand that His name has been invoked upon our lives and that we are to walk as is fitting for saints (Ephesians 5:3). May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be in your lives. Amen
Contributed by: Marítza Mateo
