I plan to post pictures of my special day later today but in the meantime... Is there anyone brave enough to answer IF you trick or treat with your children and if you do NOT, do you plan alternative activities? If you do, what kind?
I know that this is very controversial among Christians and since this is "Crosswalk" and I would like to bring up some cultural issues in our walk with Christ and how other Christian families face them.
Remember you can post anonymously but just please be kind :-)
I know that this is very controversial among Christians and since this is "Crosswalk" and I would like to bring up some cultural issues in our walk with Christ and how other Christian families face them.
Remember you can post anonymously but just please be kind :-)
Comments
we're not Catholic, we opt to celebrate All Saints Day on November 1. My kids get lots of candy and we have a special "Family Night" together.
~Laura
Thanks to each of you for responding. I didn't even realize that there were some Christians who didn't trick or treat until we moved to Kentucky and we realized our closest neighbors weren't particpating. They never spoke of it but we thought so highly of them and their walk with Christ that is gave us pause to think twice.
I'll be honest I wish we had thought this one through when Zachary was a baby (or before). I don't think that we would have done it. Now if it was something that we were certain was going to interfere with boys walk with Christ--we would STOP now. But it is completely innocent to them. They have no desire to dress in cross gender clothing(YIKES!) or spooky things. Over the years I think we have had a scarecrow, 2 clowns, a pumpkin, an elephant, a monkey, a pirate, a cowboy, a baseball player, etc. We have gone to the zoo where booths were set up and in our neighborhood. It has been a family activity that we enjoyed.
The church here has a community wide harvest party and we plan on taking the boys there. I think that like Sandi mentioned it is, in part, to bring people who would not otherwise come to church to a gathering that is used to promote the love of God.
William or anyonelse, what are chick tracks? :-) I am pretty certain there won't be watchtower mags there unless some come to try to convert Southern Baptists.:-)
Twila, I am so naive but what is All Saints Day and why is it celebrated?
I really appreciate all of your comments. As iron sharpens iron, so one wo/man sharpens another!
I want this to be a forum to discuss Christian issues and I am thankful that you are wiling to post even if you feel outnumbered!
You are not alone. I know that here are several believers who do not celebrate (and even read this blog) but do not comment--that's why I left it open to anonomity.
Thank Keith, for his comments. It is food for thought and I'm anxious for David to read "your" comments. :-)
I think that the All Saints Day is a neat way to teach children about an important part of Christian history.
Everytime David tells the boys the scenario of Bishops Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer being burned at the stake...when He gets to the part where Ridley was encouraging Latimer, "Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley and play the man! We shall this day light such a candle by God's grace, in England, as I trust never shall be put out"...I weep.
Where do you go for celebrations of this sort?
together. I make sure they get plenty of treats and even a gift or two.
I would really like to post questions now and then about how Christians keep the faith in today's culture. David and I have thought about several topics but I'd like to hear from you too. If any of you have an idea, post it or email me, please.
had a lock in at the dining hall and you could dress as a Biblical or historical character - it was a blast. Once I was in college we had more than one year where we had a party at my parents where everyone came dressed up and we ate and played hilarious games - a lot of laughs and funny pictures. I went every year, dressed up, with the boys I was a nanny for in NY - even to a non Christian family it was just a time to dress up and get candy. We allow our children to dress up in fun outfits - nothing scary or evil - and we go in my sisters family friendly neighbor hood, we have also gone to local church events. For us we think just like "the world" has taken religious holidays (Christian and Easter) and made it all about Santa Clause and the Easter bunny we can take what some use as an evil holiday and make it the opposite - all about clean fun, family and playing dress up! For us it has nothing to do with religion or celebrating something - it is just one night to do something fun and unusual you don't do any other night of the year. Before any shennagins start taking place our kids are all fast asleep! "-) I think it is great that so many churches are providing safe alternatives for those that don't live in family friendly neighborhoods. Our backyard has hosted our churches Fall party for kids 12 and under, they can dress up appropriately, many times and we've always had a good turnout.
I guess not everyone likes it, but our church has had 'Hallelujah' night on Halloween for many years. Everyone dresses up like a bible character, ton's of kids come, there are prizes for costumes etc etc. I totally enjoy it. Of course we do occaisionally get some interesting costuems. Like one year a gal in an apple costume had a label that read 'forbidden fruit'. It was quite the costume. Then there was the young lady that came as Lazarus, and her swaddling bands started coming apart before the evening was over... Fortunately there were plenty of long coats available, as it can be VERY cold here by that time of year.
Uncle Tim