The standpoint of our sojourns, is there a guideline?

October 31st is approaching, posters of “Children Fun Fair Night” / “FunFest” / “Holy-Win Fun Fair” / “Hallelujah Kids Night” are up. Regardless of what theme title is given for the event, it is referring to a children’s event offered by church organizations on Halloween evening. About 10 years ago, such church organized events were only being held in a few “pioneer” churches; however, recently it became prevalent and popular. Yesterday while my husband was reading church groups newspaper, and he pointed out to me almost every church in town is hosting children fun fair event on Halloween evening.

I still recall vividly that when my mother church (the church which I got baptized) first introduced this event was about three years ago for the purpose of allowing children to have a safe indoor place to enjoy the evening, participating in game stalls, in which one of the stall was a story telling station led by a professional teacher. The younger children enjoyed the Biblical view point Halloween story telling session very much. In terms of costumes, church kids decided to wear regular daily clothes for kids just being themselves and have fun. A few kids wore AWANA uniforms on Halloween day which, I guess, was a carry-on the legacy from a respected and beloved ex-commander Mrs. D. Wong at my mother church.

Recently we are visiting a few churches. To my surprise in a certain degree, I discovered some churches nowadays are hosting costume competitions during the fun fair event on Halloween evening to encourage children to dress up for prizes. Should Christians encourage their children and their friends to follow the practice of the Halloween culture, or should Christians guide our children to discern and to practice consecration? Two Bible verses can help to guide us.

Leviticus 18:3

You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.

Deuteronomy 18:10

Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft.

Of course, we are all living in “civilized” society, no one are practicing witchcraft by burning kids. Have we really stopped the practice of witchcraft and sacrificing kids? Are we depriving our kids the opportunity learning how to discern based on God’s Word, and to choose a consecrated way of life only gazing upon Christ? Does our practice reflect whom we are worshipping? Are we dismissing the opportunity on teaching our children that they can choose to live by secular culture or by God's Word?

Alternatively, I encourage church children to join 31-OCT Funfest with regular clothing. However, if they really want to dress up: they can study a "holy" Biblical character, dress up like him/her, and share (without competition for prize) the story they've learned about the Biblical character. Of course, non-church children can wear whatever they want. Children usually would be very at peace as long as they knew they are God's beloved children and they chose to live by God's Word, and they welcome other kids to become God's beloved children as well.

 

Costume wearing is formative to a child's character, as children are very imaginative little beings. Therefore, the choice of costume is important, as well as their attitudes of wearing them are not to disguise their identity for irresponsible actions by wearing masks.

 

May God bless the children – children in my mother church, in all churches, and in the world.

More Info:http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/bible-answer-man/read/articles/halloween-oppression-or-opportunity-8977.html