Holidays With Honor
Lydia Pace
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Reforming Ungodly Ways on All Hallow's Eve

Of all the holidays traditionally celebrated in America, Halloween is the "trickiest" to handle for those who seek to honor the Biblical worldview.

                       Historically Speaking...  

     
                                 

    Opinions differ greatly as to the level of participation that many followers of Christ Jesus want to take regarding this "holiday". 

Some people view this time as a way to witness to their neighbors in displaying a wholesome presentation of Halloween.
Many others just go along with the masses and try to participate at whatever level fits their personal comfort.


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www.amazon.com/Pumpkin-Bookmark-Christian-Halloween-Alternative/dp/B099V7YYZC/ref=sr_1_110?keywords=bookmark+prayer+card&qid=1639587964&sr=8-110
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The Legend of Jack O'Lantern




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    "Stingy Jack, a cranky, miserable old drunk who enjoyed playing tricks, was visited one day by the Devil who came to claim his soul.  But Jack had a trick up his sleeve.  He asked the Devil to climb an apple tree and get him one last apple before he had to leave earth forever.  The Devil agreed, but when he did, Stingy Old Jack placed crosses around the tree so the Devil couldn't climb down.  With the Devil stuck in the tree, Jack made him promise that he would not die yet, and when he finally did, the Devil would not get his soul.
    Many years later, Jack died, but because of the selfish life he'd led on earth, there was no place in heaven for him, so he was turned away.  At the gates of hell, the Devil reminded him of his promise, and he also turned Jack away.  Jack had no place to go.  Forced to wander forever between heaven and hell, Jack asked the Devil how he'd find his way with no light.  In response, the Devil tossed him an ember, which Jack caught in a hollowed-out turnip.  From then on, Jack roamed the earth, searching for a resting place, his turnip lantern lightning the way.
    The moral is, a life lived in selfishness is a life without light."


Redeeming Halloween; Celebrating Without Selling Out, Kim Wier & Pam McCune, Focus on the Family, 2004, pp. 38-39

media.focusonthefamily.com/free-downloads/pdf/REDEEMING_HALLOWEEN_SAMPLER.pdf


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www.pinterest.com/pin/34199278407718936/




healinghome.co/christian-halloween-ideas/






    Some people have personally witnessed occult practices on the mission field, or through another experience.  They realize the reality and the strength of evil forces to sway humans into a path of destruction.  Such folks do not view occult activities as just an ancient story of bygone events.
    These missionaries and others with similar experiences may not want anything to do with Halloween.
 

    Below are two stories often associated with Halloween. 
    Oddly enough, both Samhein and the eve before All Saints' Day have two things in common.


    Read to find out what they are.


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    A long time ago in a land far away...

...many Irish Celtic villages prepare for the festival of Samhain.  It will start as soon as the sun goes down on October 31.  At that time anxious families leave food and drinks in front of their homes and then quickly retreat inside for the evening.  This night brings fear to everyone for summer, the season of life, ends tonight, and the season of death begins. 
    This night opens the portal of the underworld.  Spirits of the dead, evil fairies, and malicious gods roam the land.  If they are pleased with  the offerings from a family, surely the ghouls will spare them and allow them to survive over the long winter. 
    A huge bonfire blazes in the hub of the village, where only the bravest stay out after dark.  Most of them dress in ghoulish costumes or wear a grotesque disguises, some to act like a dead visitor and some to hide in fear from the foreboding spirits.  Unfortunately, these same hecklers often carry out unpleasant pranks
and light their journeys through the evening with lanterns made of turnips, which have gross carved faces.
     Adding to the oppression and fear, o
ccult rituals play a big part in these festivals. 
(Even to this day, wiccans practice witchcraft and divination rituals on this October 31st.)


However...

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    Patrick, the missionary from England, tried to lead the Irish away from such destructive superstitions.  Many followed the teachings of Christ and hundreds of churches were established across Ireland.  Yet, by the time of the Middle Ages, the true Gospel had been compromised. 
    It is often thought Catholic monks tried to change this "festival".  The Roman Catholic holy day of All Saints (or All Hallows) was introduced in the year 609, but was intentionally switched to November 1st by Pope Gregory in 835.
 
    Whether this had anything to do with Samhein practices, no one knows.


October 31...All Hallow's Eve (night before All Saints' Day)

November 1...All Saints' Day (remembering all the faithful departed believers)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
http://blog.stonehenge-stone-circle.co.uk/2010/10/16/celtic-festivals-samhain-october-31st/
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Halloween+Holiday&Form=VQFRVP#view=detail&mid=7136610E4B4F3537F08C7136610E4B4F3537F08C
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/10/111028-halloween-facts-costumes-history-nation-science/                                                   



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 Music to read by - The original composition by Martin Luther

www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Hymns+That+Martin+Luther+Composed&&view=detail&mid=74614AC4C015536682E474614AC4C015536682E4 FORM=VRDGARru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DHymns%2BThat%2BMartin%2BLuther%2BComposed%26Form%3DVQFRVP%23view%3Ddetail%26mid%3D652B9C124CD449DCCD34652B9C124CD449DCCD34


   STORY #2



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A long time ago in a land far away...

a routine walk home one summer evening turns into a terrifying event.  Twenty-one year old Martin, a law student at the German university, tries to outrun a sudden but fierce thunderstorm.  Not able to find shelter from the tempest, lightning hit the ground only feet away, jolting his body and mind.  In desperation he promises God to go into the ministry, if the Lord would only spare him. 

    Martin fulfilled that emotional promise, and God eventually used him to revolutionize the world.


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Years later as an Augustinian monk and a Catholic priest, however, he finds no peace.  Instead, filled with self-loathing and doubtful of a loving merciful God, he fumbles through his duties.  An older priest begins to mentor him.  Through his pilgrimage to Rome, his eyes are open to the excessive level of corruption from priests and leaders in the church, as well as, the deceptive practice of indulgences. 

Therefore...  Upon returning to Germany, Martin resumes his teaching position at Whittenberg, where he emphasizes God's love for humanity rather than God's wrath. His new message teaches that one gains salvation through faith alone and not from works or by giving money.

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    Martin Luther's anger grows at the blatant abuse of what he now sees for himself in Scripture, primarily in the book of Romans.  The leaders of the church have put the people in bondage and fear using the indulgences to swindle them of their money and to keep them subservient.
    He decides to challenge the other priests and monks to a debate.  Within his monastery cell, he writes in Latin 95 objectionable practices that have infiltrated the Catholic church as he saw it.

   
What better time to post the notice than on 
October 31, 1517 before All Saints' Day?


This act marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

Thus, October 31st is, also, known as Reformation Day.


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Years later Martin Luther translated the Bible into German, so the people could read the Truth for themselves.

                                                                                    (This is the title of the German Bible that Luther translated in 1534.)


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther#mediaviewer/File:Luther_at_Erfurt_-_Justification_by_Faith.jpg
http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/martin-luther.html
http://www.uncommon-travel-germany.com/martin-luther-biography.html
http://www.pinterest.com/lieselpuchertsm/martin-luther
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lightning_02.jpg


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For a rather lighthearted review,...

The Story of Martin Luther (Playmobile Animation)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tox2TflUH90




          The One Who Defines, Dominates



Purgatory - a place or state of punishment wherein, according to Roman Catholic doctrine, the souls of those who die in God's grace may make satisfaction for past sins and so become fit for heaven http://www.merriam-webster.com

Indulgences - granting indulgences in exchange for money, which allow a remission of temporal punishment due to sin, the guilt of which has been forgiven

Monk - a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery

Occult - of or pertaining to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies.

http://dictionary.reference.com  

All Saints Day / November 1st.

The Catholic theology has a rather complicated view of this holiday,
however, it only needs to have a simple, yet profound purpose.


  1. This time can remind us of our bond with all believers here and now around the world, especially those that are suffering and under persecution for their faith.

  2. We can, also, remember the incredible people who gave up their lives rather than to deny our Lord.

  3. Stories can be told and prayers sent to the Father for our "family members" worldwide.

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) invites churches and Christians around the world to observe the

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP)



“Today’s greatest untold story is that more than 100 million Christians worldwide face persecution for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” says Rev. Godfrey Yogarajah, Executive Director of the WEA Religious Liberty Commission (RLC). “Daily Christians in Eritrea, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Sudan, Sri Lanka (and many others) face imprisonment, violence and even death.”
http://worldea.org/news/4482/join-the-international-day-of-prayer-for-the-persecuted-2014-don%E2%80%99t-stand-in-silence







What do you think?


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Do you believe in demons and evil spirits?     

Many Bible scholars believe that 1/3 of the angels were expelled from heaven to earth with Lucifer because of their rebellion.


"Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads.
His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down–that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him."                                                    Revelation 12:3-4a,7-9


Multiple times Satan and evil spirits are mentioned in Scripture.
  • Do you think it is wise to mimic them?
  • Is it good for you to pretend to be like them?
http://www.biblebrains.com/2011/05/28/were-one-third-of-the-angels-kicked-out-of-heaven/



A Few Sense-able Ideas








Go to Pinterest site "Holidays With Honor" for more ideas.








See-able






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Movie: "Luther" (2003) Nailing the 95 Thesis scene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFSFMg091rA




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The seasonal classic:
"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!"

http://www.amazon.com/Its-Great-Pumpkin-Charlie-Brown/dp/B001IZ1PY6

                                                Books:

Redeeming Halloween: Celebrating Without Selling Out,
by Kim Wier & Pam McCune, Focus on the Family

Christian Origins of Halloween, by Angie Mosteller, Rose Publishing


Spy for the Night Riders  by Dave & Neta Jackson
http://www.trailblazerbooks.com/Frame-1.html

Thunderstorm in Church  by Louise A. Vernon
http://www.greenleafpress.com/catalog

Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World  by Paul Maier
http://www.christiannewsmo.com/Martin_Luther_By_Paul_L_Maier_p/2510005040.htm
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1NH9jlHGUM

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http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween/videos/bet-you-didnt-know-halloween

Hear-able


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Focus on the Family's
Adventures in Odyssey


"What Are We Gonna Do About Halloween?"
Album: AIO - 00: The Lost Episodes
Lesson/Theme: Halloween; bringing light from darkness.
Bible Verse: Romans 12:2
Description:  Kids all over Odyssey want to go out for Halloween, but Whit comes up with a better idea


www.adventuresinodyssey.com/episodes/045-what-are-we-gonna-do-about-halloween/

Download on MP3 or iTunes
Picture used with permission from Focus on the Family.



Bible Gateway has a great article on Reformation Day, as well as, a suggested reading of specific 5 Bible verses to read on that day.

https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/10/celebrate-reformation-day/





Taste-able and Smell-able







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http://www.speckledfreckle.com.au/blog/?cat=10
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http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/1846/apple-cobbler
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Fall cookies - make a sugar cookie recipe, divide dough and add food coloring, roll together and cut out with leaf cutters.

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http://allrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-pumpkin-seeds/

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http://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/bake/how-to-bake-apples/





Do-able





Lots of adorable pumpkin and autumn decor and crafts at this Pinterest location:
www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=autumn%20decorations%20party&rs=typed&term_meta[]=autumn%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=decorations%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=party%7Ctyped

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Red is the color of Reformation Day.  Children can help to make wooden hammers, similar to what Luther used to nail the 95 Thesis on the church door.  They can use them to knock on doors when going places to get treats.

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Because of Martin Luther's determination to stand on the belief that the Scripture alone was the true word of God, many people tried to have him killed.
His friends kidnapped him and took him to a castle to live in hiding.  For about one year he lived in disguise; he grew a mustache and a beard, and called himself, Knight George.

This time was not wasted, however; he used this opportunity to write the New Testament from Latin into the language of the people...German.

Therefore, can't
disguises be part of a Reformation party?

mustardseeds.typepad.com/my_weblog/reformation-day/


PRAY

As noted in a previous article, we can use the All Saints Day as a reminder that throughout the year
we should pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who suffer from persecution for following Christ Jesus.


The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) invites churches and Christians around the world to observe the

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP)


It's fun to dress up in clever and winsome ways for parties.
www.candyapplecostumes.com/children.html
Photos used with permission from Candy Apple Costumes.
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http://www.greenmeadowsfarm.com

Green Meadows Petting Farm has pony rides, hay rides, and every child gets to pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch.


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http://www.hgtv.com/handmade/how-to-make-glittered-pumpkins/index.html

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http://innerchildfun.com/2012/09/20-must-do-favorite-activities-for-fall.html
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http://www.craftbyphoto.com/pumpkin-carving-with-a-drill/



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http://www.happinessishomemade.net/2010/10/23/fall-leaf-lanterns/


www.womansday.com/home/crafts-projects/g2585/fall-party/?slide=4
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Decorating With Gourds 

Watch this video and learn how to carve, paint and embellish gourds for festive celebrations.

http://www.hgtv.com/video/decorating-gourds-video/index.html

If you choose gourds, they will last for many years.



http://www.bhg.com/halloween/outdoor-decorations/gourds-pumpkins-uses/



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Tips for Preserving a Carved Pumpkin:


  • Mold and dehydration are the two main contributors to pumpkin rot. Prevent both by covering the carved areas and interior of pumpkin with petroleum jelly. This will keep the pumpkin from drying out and will slow the growth of mold.
  • Another option is to add a small amount of bleach to a spray bottle filled with water. Spray the pumpkin daily with the bleach mixture; the bleach fights mold while the water keeps the pumpkin from drying out too quickly.
  • Spray the pumpkin with a store-bought pumpkin preservation spray. Make sure that it is environmentally-friendly and nontoxic. Note: Even with these precautions, a cut pumpkin will only last for a few days to a week, so it's best to cut your pumpkin no earlier than a few days before your Halloween festivities.
Illuminating the Pumpkin:

The candle-free options are nearly endless for showcasing your pumpkin designs. Check stores for color-changing strobe lights, battery-operated tea lights and rainbow LEDs that are made specifically for pumpkins and are safe for use in fresh or foam pumpkins. Battery-operated tap lights are a great option for a small pumpkin or gourd or use several in a larger pumpkin.
  • If the pumpkin will be displayed near an outlet, a string of Christmas lights or a small lamp can be used.
  • The final choice is candles, the old standby. Votive or pillar candles, placed on a plate which is large enough to catch any drips, are the best option. A good tip when illuminating a pumpkin with a candle is to cut a small hole in the top of the pumpkin, like a chimney, allowing the heat to escape. Note: Candles can only be used in fresh pumpkins, never place a lit candle inside a foam pumpkin.
http://www.hgtv.com/holidays-occasions/pumpkin-carving-tips-and-tools/index.html


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" Anything that refreshes you
without distracting you from,
diminishing, or
             destroying your final goal
is a legitimate pleasure in your life."


Ravi Zacharias, "Faith Under Fire – Christian Ethics in the Workplace", Part 2
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Photo Credits:
http://vicvapor.com/
http://bigbackground.com/
http://hdimge.com
http://www.loc.gov
http://www.happyholidays2014.com
http://www.reallyfreeclipart.com
http://www.mrwallpaper.com
http://www.pptbackgroundstemplates.com
http://freeholidaywallpapers.blogspot.com
http://commons.wikimedia.org


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