Halloween: Harmless Holiday or Holy Day?

“Trick or treat!” Many of us who never have doorbells rung or doors knocked on in the evening will experience just that on Oct. 31, which has turned into the secular holiday we know as Halloween.

 

Will this be one of your 
visitors Halloween night?

When we hear ‘Halloween,’ we might conjure up all manner of images. Little kids dressed up like Mickey or Minnie Mouse, Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol or PJ Masks characters. Or the traditional costumes of scary creatures like ghosts, goblins, witches – or even well-known politicians. All canvassing neighborhoods crying out, “Trick or treat!” and expecting to have bags they’re carrying filled with candy and other treats.

People have a variety of perspectives on this annual practice, but rarely do we associate it with a revered religious tradition. Before the day was co-opted by candy manufacturers and costume makers, it was observed as All Hallows’ Eve, the night before All Saints’ Day. The word “hallow” means holy or sanctified, so All Hallows’ Eve translates to ‘the evening of all saints.’

 

In some Christian denominations, the term “saint” is reserved for a very elite group of people. This would include the apostles, some martyrs, and individuals who are reputed to have participated in some form of miracle. However, the biblical definition of the word isn’t nearly as narrow.

 

We find an Old Testament reference in the prophetic book of Daniel, which foretells events of ‘the last days’ before the return of the promised Messiah. It says, “until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom” (Daniel 7: 22).

 

The New Testament provides a number of references that make clear that when the Bible speaks of ‘saints,’ it’s not referring to those that commonly come to mind: Saint Peter, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Christopher, Saint Nicholas, and others. The word “saint” simply means those who are set apart, made holy as a result of being born again in Jesus Christ, and being conformed into His image day by day.

 

In Acts 9:32, for example, we read that “As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.” These were living, breathing men and women who were devoted followers of Christ. Several verses later, in a brief account of God using Peter to raise a woman named Tabitha from the dead, it says, “…[Peter] gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and the widows, he presented her alive” (Acts 9:41).

 

The apostle Paul addresses one of his New Testament epistles “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). Later in the same letter, concerning a woman named Phoebe, he writes, “I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me” (Romans 16:2). In effect, the apostle introduces one saint to a group of saints in another city.

 

Writing to believers in the city of Corinth, Paul cites one of the responsibilities the saints – God’s set apart ones – will have: “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” (1 Corinthians 6:2). Seems like those the Lord has set apart as His children one day will serve as His Supreme Court.

 

In another letter to the Corinthians Paul exhorts believers to be actively involved in acts of generosity. He says, “There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. For I know your eagerness to help…. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” (2 Corinthians 9:1,12).

 

To Christ followers in ancient Ephesus, Paul repeatedly refers to saints – God’s people. He opens by greeting “the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1). Then he expresses his fervent desire “that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:17-18).

 

Then he explains the reason God has given spiritual gifts to all who are called by His name: “to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).

 

I don’t know about you, but I think this is so cool – to be called one of God’s saints – not on the basis of some liturgical body’s deliberations and decision, but simply because the Lord has chosen each of us as His followers, His people, His holy ones.

 

So this Halloween, while passing out candy and treats to children disguised in festive attire, try to reflect that you're doing so on All Hallows’ Eve, as one of God’s saints.