So, what is Halloween?

According to Wikipedia Halloween, also called Allhallowe'en, All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Eve is observed by Western Christians and many non-Christians around the world. It is the first day of Allhallowtide.

Halloween is a yearly celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed believers.

According to many scholars, All Hallows' Eve is a Christianized feast initially influenced by Celtic harvest festivals, with possible pagan roots, particularly the Gaelic Samhain. Other scholars maintain that it originated independently of Samhain and has solely Christian roots. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

Over the last couple of weeks I have ready many articles about the evils of Hallowe'en and how Christian parents can protect their children.

For me there are 2 issues

1. Trick or treat, is it safe & right to encourage children to knock on strangers doors asking for sweets, doesn't that go against everything we teach them for the rest of the year? And is it fair on people, often on their own in their homes to have trick or treaters? Many elderly people are scared to open their door and the evening of the 31st can be very distressing.

2. Is there a way we can embrace the idea of All Hallows' Eve and bring back a bit of what it traditionally celebrates rather than "trick or treat night" or should we instead shun it as a secular festival that holds no place in modern Christian society?

Answers on a post card ..

Here's a little poem to help you think
http://www.churchleaders.com/mobile/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-videos/176847-the-surprisingly-christian-roots-of-halloween.html

By the way, this picture is of my neighbours pumpkins.