JesusWin Day
Halloween (October 31) is coming soon. The most widely-held belief on the origins of Halloween comes from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a celebration of death and ghosts. This day of worshipping Satan and evil spirits has become a day when people all over the world dress up as evil spirits and have a party. Without placing much meaning to it, adults dress up and gather to party and children dress up as demons, monsters, witches, etc and go from house to house saying “Trick or Treat!” (an implication that they will play tricks on those who refuse to give them treats). It is tradition for the houses they visit to respond by giving them candy.
Most Christians do not want to associate with Halloween and when the day comes, they will deliberately go out of the house or turn off all the lights and pretend no-one is home. However, what is more unfortunate is that, there are actually many Christians living in Australia who do not know the meaning of Halloween. They believe it is just a fun day for children and have accepted or embraced the culture.
It is interesting to note that October 31 is Reformation Day. It is the day Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses which emphasised the authority of the Bible and claimed that righteousness is obtained through faith alone. A fellow pastor suggested turning this day from Halloween Day to JesusWin Day. Instead of avoiding the children who come to receive candy, let’s make it a day to preach Jesus and the gospel to them. I suggest that you prepare candy in advance and place it in a candy bag with a message saying “Jesus loves you” or “Jesus is the Saviour”, etc.
This year, a Korean drama called “Squid Game” has been very popular across the world. So, perhaps try making a “dalgona candy” like those that appeared in the drama. Stamp it with a cross and a sign of love and distribute it to the children who come to Trick or Treat. Or you could turn it into an event for the family, house church or Sunday School.
I hope these small gestures will turn Halloween Day into a life-saving day, JesusWin Day, and become a day were Jesus is victorious.
This column is adapted from a post written by Pastor Hyung-Wook Yoo of Manna Church.
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수정교회 번역팀 2021.10.21 05:10
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Halloween (October 31) is coming soon. The most widely-held belief on the origins of Halloween comes from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a celebration of death and ghosts. This day of worshipping Satan and evil spirits has become a day when people all over the world dress up as evil spirits and have a party. Without placing much meaning to it, adults dress up and gather to party and children dress up as demons, monsters, witches, etc and go from house to house saying “Trick or Treat!” (an implication that they will play tricks on those who refuse to give them treats). It is tradition for the houses they visit to respond by giving them candy.
Most Christians do not want to associate with Halloween and when the day comes, they will deliberately go out of the house or turn off all the lights and pretend no-one is home. However, what is more unfortunate is that, there are actually many Christians living in Australia who do not know the meaning of Halloween. They believe it is just a fun day for children and have accepted or embraced the culture.
It is interesting to note that October 31 is Reformation Day. It is the day Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses which emphasised the authority of the Bible and claimed that righteousness is obtained through faith alone. A fellow pastor suggested turning this day from Halloween Day to JesusWin Day. Instead of avoiding the children who come to receive candy, let’s make it a day to preach Jesus and the gospel to them. I suggest that you prepare candy in advance and place it in a candy bag with a message saying “Jesus loves you” or “Jesus is the Saviour”, etc.
This year, a Korean drama called “Squid Game” has been very popular across the world. So, perhaps try making a “dalgona candy” like those that appeared in the drama. Stamp it with a cross and a sign of love and distribute it to the children who come to Trick or Treat. Or you could turn it into an event for the family, house church or Sunday School.
I hope these small gestures will turn Halloween Day into a life-saving day, JesusWin Day, and become a day were Jesus is victorious.
This column is adapted from a post written by Pastor Hyung-Wook Yoo of Manna Church.