Halloween is a celebration of darkness, death, deformity, fear, horror, ghosts, spirits, etc. And “trick or treat.” “Trick” comes from the word “trickery” which means “the practice of deception.” By contrast Christmas is a celebration of light, life, beauty, goodness, generosity, benevolence, and hope. So why is Halloween so popular? And is it any surprise that a culture that celebrates (not just via Halloween, also in novels, movies, entertainment, and video games) death and horror and trickery should suffer from those very things in the from of violent crime, fraud, anxiety, depression, and suicide? A wise man once wrote: “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendableâ€if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthyâ€dwell on these things.” Phillipians 4:8 (CSB). Though written long ago, this advice bears relevance to our society today and is wholly in keeping with all that we celebrate at Christmas.
Jeff Corbett
McBride, BC
