There are two times during the year when I sometimes cringe when out in public- Halloween and Christmas. Questions involving those holidays can invariably lead to hurt feelings or defenses rising among people. So this month has been a long month of trying to gently turn down invites to spooky parties, haunted mansions, and meeting up to trick or treat. The funny thing is I like a good spooky party and a haunted mansion as much as anyone just not in conjunction with Halloween. :-)
It is hard because truth is that this is a Woodpile decision. I truly have no opinion on what another's personal decision regarding Halloween is. It is one of those grey areas where one searches their hearts and prays for the answer for their family. One man's enjoyment may be another man's sin. We do enjoy taking the opportunity to meet new people and hand out candy if you grace us at our door. And I love to see the pics of your sweet littles in their costumes. And hear the excitement as they tell Mrs. Becca about their fun. Please do not take our non-participation as judgement on yours. I would really appreciate that. I HATE awkward silences and evasive looks. I trust that you care and seek to make the right choice for your family. And I trust that you have. It's all good. ;-)
I am not going to debate right or wrong because it is all subjective really. For us it not about ghosts, goblins, and mummy's. We have two reasons mainly that we abstain from the Halloween fun.
1) Its origins- The Samhain. While most of the holidays we celebrate are pagan in origin. This is really the only one still pagan. Not reason enough alone for us however with the second one it was marks a turning point for the Woodpile.
2) It is one of the most sacred days in the Wiccan religion. All over the world there are people who do still celebrate the evils of darkness on this day. I Cor. 10:20 says this. "But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils."
Those are our reasons in a nutshell. So what do we do. Well lots of fun things actually!!! We do attend Fall Festivals if they are not on the day of Halloween. We love Fall Masquerades. Best time of the year for it as it is cooler plus afterward lots of costumes are on sale. And finally we celebrate something really worth celebrating - Reformation day: a day for us to remember that by grace we are saved, to remember we need to stand up for our God, and a day to remember that the Word of God is His voice to us. What does Oct. 31st look like for the Woodpile? Here ya go! (Although this year it being on Sunday we will celebrate on Nov. the 1st)
1)Luther transcribed the Bible and so do we! Each child has their own passage and special materials- quills, beautiful handmade parchment scrolls, etc.(you can make this by tearing the edges of a plain white sheet of paper then crumbling. Smooth it out and place on a window screen. Pour black tea or coffee over. Let dry.)
2) We refresh our minds by reciting Ephesians. 2:8,9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" and singing A Mighty Fortress.
3) We reenact the story with wooden hammers and copies of the 95 thesis. Yes they get to knock on a door. :-)
4) Starting next year we will be back to full blown Bible or reformation costumes. Events/day changed my plans a little this year, and we are going basic.
5). Read Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed The World by Paul L. Maier (We do also talk a little bit about denominations after reading this.)
6). Medieval line dancing like the Official Branle. (See this site for simple intro-http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-do-renaissance-branle-charlotte-dance-247365/ )
7) Participating in the Diet of Worms (gummy worm eating contest), a throw the indulgence into the trash relay, and bobbing for apples are some games we may play.
8) This year we are creating a stained glass window in our school room ( using tissue paper) in honor of Luther's work in restoring churches.
A website with great ideas for taking this much farther than we do at this time (littles are too little) is http://www.lovetolearnplace.com/SpecialDays/Reformation/activities.html
So there you are! Enjoy whatever your plans are for October the 31st. Have a FABULOUS time.
Good thoughts all Becca. Here's my blog post on the same topic from four years ago...
ReplyDeletehttp://kellkellmusings.blogspot.com/2006/10/what-to-do-on-halloween_116222623334224765.html
Love it, Kells! We might have to do it outside like you guys once the littlest get older. It would be fun to invite our neighbors, friends, and the trick or treaters to join in. In fact the original plan was to invite a few people (of course, including the Kellers), but sickness, delayed parties, and being on a Sunday made it not the best of ideas this year. Maybe next?
ReplyDeleteI have heard people who go around "Reformation Caroling" at doors then give out Reformation cards their children have made. The kids knock on the neighbor's door with small wooden hammer and say Happy Reformation Day. Interesting idea. Not sure yet my total feelings on it. I with you. I keep it simple.
Love this Becca. If you get a chance to go back into the posts on FB that I posted a couple of days ago you will see a great post about this as well and it points to what does the light have with darkness and points to similar things you've said. We've never done anything at all and it just makes it for a much stronger statement of our faith to our children as well as to those around us, that we indeed are different. Thanks for the post again.
ReplyDeleteWhat cool ideas, Becca! We have never trick-or-treated, but the kids do dress up (most years) and pass out candy and church invitations to the trick or treaters who come to the house. I like your Reformation celebration, though. I will have to do some planning on that for next year. :)
ReplyDeleteBecca piano player is Iaiela D. just to make a note about that.
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