The Halloween Holiday
My View Article by Julia Bettencourt

Halloween is coming and as a Christian it is sometimes hard to figure out what to do with this holiday. We all know its origins and yet we can't keep it from coming every year. We can't keep the world from celebrating just because we don't celebrate Halloween.

There are several options, one being just to ignore it. Another, is getting so wrapped up in its origins that you delve a little too far into all that stuff, putting yourself into a very vulnerable state as a Christian and probably scaring everyone around you in the process. Personally, as a Christian, I feel like we can be an informed Christian on the topic without being consumed by it.

Another way to deal with Halloween is just focusing on the good parts of the fall season and letting Halloween come and go without too much fuss but yet enjoying the celebration of the fall.

The third is the way that I personally choose to deal with the Halloween holiday. I love the different seasons God has beautified our lives with and I enjoy decorating and having fun with them. And yes, I like putting out a big pumpkin on my doorstep. Contrary to popular opinion a witch or goblin didn't invent the pumpkin. It is a beautiful creation of God and I love pumpkins. Of all the things in God's creations, I think the things of fall are some of the loveliest. The fallen leaves to all of the beautiful things of harvest were put here for us to enjoy and I must say, I sure do enjoy them!

It bothers me that Christian harvest parties are labeled as the "alternative" to Halloween. Halloween is the "alternative". God's beauty of the harvest and the things of fall were here long before the concept of Halloween. How many dozens of verses in the Bible are dedicated to praising the Lord? What better time than when the earth is at it's peak of perfection and beauty? He is the Creator of all the beautiful things we find in the fall from the beautiful fall foliage, gourds, squash, wheat, apples, and even pumpkins too. We have much to be thankful for and to praise the Lord for. If you haven't read through Psalm 33 in awhile, this would be a great time to do so.