The history of Halloween is interesting.

It comes largely from Celtic people, who practiced paganism. They believed that once a year the ghosts/spirits of the dead came to the land of the living to haunt us, and the Celts would appease them by giving them treats. When Christianity (or at least a perverted version of it) came to the British Isles, the missionaries did not dissuade the people from practicing their paganism, they just “Christianized” their practices (they changed a few names and tweaked it a little and allowed people to continue with what they were doing).

Since November 1st was already being observed by many “Christians” as “All Hallows Day” (or “All Saints Day”) the missionaries designated the day before as “All Hallow’s Eve” which, in time, was simplified to the name “Halloween” we know today.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with dressing up as a ghost and asking for treats. It’s almost always an unbeknownst acknowledgment of the history of the holiday. There are no such things as ghosts (at least not in the way the secular world thinks of it!) and the kid wearing the white sheet over his body isn’t worshipping the devil. It’s a scruple-issue (1 Corinthians 8; Romans 14). Kids are playing pretend, knowing what the old Celtics didn’t: These things aren’t real.

Today is All Saints Day, or All Hallows Day. It’s another holiday created by men and as with Halloween, there’s nothing inherently wrong with practicing it in a general way. The gist behind the day is to reflect on brethren who have died.

Surely there is someone who has influenced you spiritually that has gone on to their reward? A preacher or Bible class teacher? A grandparent or deacon? An elder or song leader? Is there someone you can think of, who encouraged you spiritually, helping you grow in the faith, and showed you the way of Christ? Have they left this world behind?

You don’t have to light a candle in memorial to them, but a quiet reflection on their impact in your life is not unreasonable.