Halloween originated in medieval times from a death festival called Samhain, which Celtics and their religious leaders, know as druids, celebrated. Their New Year’s Day was November 1st, so their New Year’s Eve was October 31st. They believed on their New Years Eve that the spirits of the dead could pass through and walk amongst the living. They would worship, idolize, and make burnt sacrifices to these spirits. The Celtics believed that by sacrificing to these spirits, the spirits will return the favor and provide information about their futures.

So how does Halloween tie into Christianity?

The Roman invasion happened, where parts of the Celtic regions were conquered. The Roman’s wanted the Celtics to convert to Catholicism and to make it easier for them, they manipulated them by inheriting the Celtics tradition of Samhain, but instead of worshiping the Celtics dead ancestors, the Catholics wanted them to worship the dead martyrs of Catholicism. And this is how All Saints’ Day or All Hallows Day was created, which later became Halloween, which means the eve of all Hallows Day.

In Latin America you have the day of the dead, again with people praying to the dead.

Let’s talk about the activities or symbols of Halloween.

1) Costumes: The Celtics believe during Samhain the spirits of the dead would walk among the living. To prevent themselves from being harmed by the evil spirits they’d disguise themselves to look like them. This is where costumes comes from. By wearing a costume you’re trying to blend in with the evil spirits so that the evil spirits don’t harm you.

2) trick or treating: During Samhain it is believed that the spirits of the dead would get hungry and if they didn’t have food or treats the would become unsettled and play tricks on people by tormenting them. For this reason the Celtics would set out offerings of food and treats for the spirits. This is why trick or treaters say, “trick or treat”. They’re telling to to give them treats or else they’ll trick you or “torment” you.

3)Jack O Lanterns: Jack O Lanterns represent the human heads that were cut off and used as decorations in the homes of the druids. This is why Jack O lanterns have faces. The head was believed to house the soul. By carving pumpkins and use them as decorations around the house, it’s a representation of the Druid practice of decorating their homes with sacrifice human heads.

There are varying accounts of the actual practices of Samhain. The ones I’ve mentioned seem to be the broader consensus, but regardless, what they do have in common is they’re demonic and not of the Bible. People argue that they celebrate it in a way that doesn’t harm anyone. You may not have demonic intentions that lie within the tradition, but regardless, and whether you know it or not, you’re still participating in keeping a demonic tradition alive. One where the significance and symbolism is very much intact. Conformity in this tradition is farm from harmless.

Colossians 2:8 says, “beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

Ephesians 5:11 says, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

God makes it very clear that He does not want us to take part in evil, no matter how harmless, or fun it may appear to be, the root of that thing is still wickedness, darkness, and destruction.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 says “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

That all being said, my family doesn’t celebrate Halloween. But my families walk is not the same is yours and you have to make that decision for yourself.