The way my family celebrates Christmas has everything to do with how we celebrate Halloween. We’re trying to be consistent.
Every October I go into the attic and pull out two large plastic bins full of Halloween decorations and one even bigger one full of costume scraps: wigs, wings, hats, glasses, make-up and, of course, chaps. We go all out for Halloween. And this perplexes some folks. You know the ones.
Some Christians get all in a tizzy about the pagan origins of Halloween. Some of them hold an alternative celebration called “______________ Festival” at their church. Others hand out tracts to trick-or-treaters. Still others sit the holiday out all-together.
But our family celebrates Halloween. Every year. And not once have we sacrificed a virgin or pledged our allegiance to the Prince of Darkness. But, yes, I suppose the naysayers are right: celebrating Halloween is a “slippery slope”. Our celebration of Halloween, I guess, could, theoretically devolve into a celebration of the occult or teach our kids that evil isn’t something to be feared but something that’s fun. I guess. Maybe. It’s possible. Not likely, but…
But we celebrate it anyway because we’re in control of the celebration. I can decide to dress my kids as a butterfly, Spiderman and a puppy and let them ask strangers for candy and at the same time I can not let them slaughter the neighbor’s dog on an altar. See how that works? Slippery slope accounted for.
And celebrating Halloween this way actually does something very positive: It redeems the day. We, as a family, are doing something pretty miraculous when you think about it. We’re taking a pagan celebration of evil (according to some folks) and turning it into a night of conversation and laughter with friends (about three dozen of us walking around the neighborhood) and getting seriously sugar buzzed at the same time. Now, if Satan has anything to do with Halloween this probably ticks him off just a tad – all the fun and neighborliness.
Which brings us back to Christmas and gifts and consistency. Christmas is a pagan holiday stolen, I mean redeemed by Christians. Part of its celebration in America is gift giving. Gift giving is a slippery slope too: It can admittedly lead to gluttony, debt, ingratitude, and can recast us as the central character of the Christmas story and greatly diminish the part Christ plays in the whole thing. But, can Christmas – can gift giving – not be redeemed in the same way costumes and fake cobwebs can?
Now, I know this isn’t what some of you expected me to say in this series. You expected me to say gift giving is a bad idea when there are so many poor kids in the world. Wrong. It’s a fantastic idea. Sometimes it’s even kingdom-ish. Giving people stuff can have transcendental meaning – don’t you feel that in the smile-inducing surprise of the unwrapping moment? Don’t you see something supernatural and downright joyful in the hug and “thank you” that follows? The apostle Paul said it; I didn’t: Christ came to redeem all things.
Tomorrow I’ll tell you how we do the whole gift giving thing in our imperfect family. And I’ll ask you then to tell us how you do it too? That’s tomorrow. Today? Try to relax and enjoy yourself amidst all the slippery slopes lined with fear mongers.
Ron Woods says:
Actually, if you are pulling stuff out of your attic in November you totally blew right through the halloween season. Might be why you don’t get much grief. Probably getting discount pumpkins too. I’m just sayin…
Shaun Groves says:
Dang it!
I will proofread my posts.
I will proofread my posts.
I will proofread my posts.
I will proofread my posts.
I will proofread my posts.
I will proofread my posts.
I will proofread my posts.
I will proofread my posts.
I will proofread my posts.
I will proofread my posts.
I will proofread my posts.
I will proofread my posts.
I will proofread my posts.
Ron Woods says:
There is room at the cross for you.
Ron Woods says:
Oh, SURE. Fix it now so I look like the dummy! That’s it. I just officially stop humming “room at the cross.” People … he said “November” and then changed it to “October!” I tell you, there is no accountability anymore!
Shaun Groves says:
I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ron. Work with your medication not against it, buddy.
Ron Woods says:
Somewhere in scripture (I’m bibleless at the moment” I believe it says something to the effect of, “Let God be the judge between thee and me.” Maybe not. But it should!
January is coming. Get ready to get those Christmas ornaments out!
serously, have a great Christmas…
Dawn~Canada says:
Tee hee. Meds…
Shaun: Are you saying that consistently controlling teachable situations with your kids/family is the way to get a handle on Christmas? If you are, I agree. Turn what was intended for evil into something potentially great! (Kind of like what Jesus did with death at the cross…) God never wastes any opportunity, we should do likewise.
Grovesfan says:
You couldn’t give up Halloween. No dressing up? Besides, I’ve seen Gresham combine the two; dressing up like Santa for Halloween. He’s such a multi-tasker.
Angie says:
I grew up in a family that avoided Halloween like the plague. It was when I married my Brian that I learned what it looked like to redeem a holiday rather than retreat from it. And one of my favorite things about it… that one way we can reach out to and be a light in the community around us is to be “those Christians” that give out the best and most candy rather than “those Christians” who turn their lights out and ignore their neighbors.
Only problem is by the time I learned this, we live in too remote of an area and get no trick-or-treaters.
(Oh, and we strongly dislike the ________ Festival at our church… they do everything the exact same as a Halloween party… games, dress up, same foods, etc. Except they won’t call it Halloween. Explain this to me, people?)
Laura says:
We’ve also chosen to participate in Halloween – it’s a GREAT chance to connect with neighbors. Copying off of some friends, the past 2 years we have gotten a bunch of $5 pizzas and given out pizza slices and hot cider along with the candy! We are becoming known as the pizza house (especially amoung the teenagers). It causes people to stick around and chat for awhile and many working parents are appreciative because our trick or treat starts at 6pm and many haven’t had a chance to eat!
Shaun – can’t wait to hear what your family does for Christmas! I am thoroughly enjoying the conversation!
Lisa B. says:
I really like this perspective. We actually don’t “do” Halloween simply because we live so far out in the boonies it doesn’t make sense. In & out of a car for an hour for candy? I just buy it.
Our church does a party for the AWANA group whenever it falls near that date. That works for us as well. All combined in one spot. I see what you’re saying though & I really agree with it.
Josh R says:
I just wanted to say that this series has been the best thing I’ve read in a long time. As a youth minister, husband and soon to be father, I’ve been struggling a lot the past few years with the whole Christmas thing. Why do we give gifts? Can it be a good thing? Can I still participate in Christmas AND bring glory to God?
I’m finding a few answers, and still working through a lot of questions. I love your honesty and perspective.
Karen Hokanson says:
I am a new Shaun Groves Blog addict. This series has really given me food for thought! I was going to post how we handle gift giving, etc. but will wait until tomorrow.
Karen in CA
Jennifer says:
hey shaun,
I love this post. Do you happen to have the scripture reference for when Paul says “Christ redeems all things?” That’s an awesome verse.
Thanks,
jennifer
Shaun Groves says:
Colossians 1:20 is one instance that comes to mind.