Hallowe’en. I love it. I can’t wait until the trick-or-treaters start coming to the door tonight, though I wish it were warmer for their evening sojourn. But what is this Hallowe’en holiday? Where does it come from? Why do some Christian churches speak against it?

To understand the origins of Hallowe’en, we need to start with the practice within the Catholic and Orthodox traditions of naming saints. Certain people are seen to be especially holy and, because of their deep faith, able to perform miracles. These people, through a long church process of discernment are beatified or named as saints within the church. They are given a saint’s day, often relating to their birth, death or some special event in their lives, on which they are celebrated. But there are only so many days in the year, and some saints just stand out more than others. So people began to celebrate an “All Saint’s Day,” possibly as far back at the 300’s. November 1st was officially named All Saints’ Day by Pope Gregory IV in the 700’s.

Another name for All Saints’ Day is All Hallows Day, referring to all who are holy or hallowed. The evening before (Oct. 31) is All Hallows Eve from which comes the word “Hallowe’en.” Alongside the celebration of All Saints’ Day, the marking of All Souls Day on November 2nd developed. This was a day to remember all of the dearly departed.

 

But these were not the only celebrations at this time of year. When the Celts (living in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and northern France) were brought into the mix with the Roman conquest of Britain in 43 AD, their traditions were added to the mix. November 1 marked Samhain, the Celtic New Year (and beginning of winter.) It was believed that Samhain, the Lord of Death, allowed the souls of the dead to come back to visit their earthly homes on the evening before the feast day. While in some cases, this could be a welcome visit, it could also be a time when people feared revenge and harm from those who had left this world with a grudge to settle or injustice to right. To protect themselves from unwelcome spirits, people extinguished the fires in their houses and gathered around the New Year’s bonfire built by the Druids from scared oak branches, upon which sacrifices were offered and around which fortunes were told. From this fire, the home hearths were re-lit to start the new year.

 

In various areas of the Celtic lands, particular traditions developed such as carving jack-o-lanterns (originally turnips), dressing in costumes to trick the spirits, masked parades and going door to door begging for food.
Through the years, with the spread of Christianity, various harvest festivals and celebrations of the dead gradually were rolled together into what has morphed into Hallowe’en as we know it today. Many of the customs started out as ways, in a non-scientific world, to try to control the bad things that happened in people’s lives. These same customs have gradually, at their best, become opportunities for fun and imagination.

 

For those of the Protestant tradition (which includes the United Church), October 31st has an added emphasis. October 31st is the day that Martin Luther posted his 95 statements against practices in the Catholic Church at the time and is marked as Reformation Day. And November 1st, All Saints Day, for Protestants is a celebration of everyone, who has chosen a lifelong pilgrimage with God. It is not about people who have done something especially holy or heroic or performed miracles. Each one of us is part of the community of saints, past, present and future, gathered in the circle of God’s love.

 

So that brings us back to Hallowe’en as celebrated today. Though its roots are in the Christian faith and ancient Celtic practice, it has become a secular holiday. One has to ask, in our scientific, research-based culture, why do we continue to celebrate this yearly holiday? On cold, snowy nights, the trick-or-treaters still make their rounds. Costumes are planned, sometimes for months in advance. Even on school nights, children head out, parents not
worrying too much about the effect on alertness in school the next day. In a day and age, when we don’t worry about being haunted by spirits or having the dead come back for revenge, it is amazing that we still mark this ancient autumn festival.  For me, there are two reasons that come to mind:

1. This is about imagination and fun. You can be anything you wish to be. It is a night when the limits of human existence are stretched. I can be Spiderman or an Avenger or Princess Leia or Cinderella or a zombie or a robot. Adults and children alike enter into the playful mood and imaginative fun. There are no big meals to prepare, no presents to thoughtfully buy, just a bowl of candy to put at the door. There is not much in our society anymore that it just pure and simple fun, and that may be why we love a holiday such as Hallowe’en so much.

 

2. Hallowe’en also acknowledges the shadow side of life. Things are not always as they seem. Like our ancestors long ago, in spite of our scientific approach to life, we still need an event that names the fear, the terror, the dread that we feel at times. Hallowe’en allows us to playfully go after “the things that go bump in the night” and the way that a moonless night or a dark room can leave us feeling scared. As confident as we are in the scientific explanations of life, there is part of us that still wonders, “What made that noise?”

Some Christian churches feel strongly that Hallowe’en has no place in the Christian life. They see it as a festival of the devil and as celebrating darkness rather than the light of Jesus. They worry about perceived connections to the occult and paganism, and feel that the kind of images presented as part of Hallowe’en are becoming too gory and scary.  The United Church has taken no stand on Hallowe’en and, as in all beliefs, invites its people to decide for themselves and their families what is right.

 

For me, Hallowe’en is a cultural celebration rather than a faith celebration. It is about fun and laughter and imagination. It is about facing and playing with our ancient fears within the safety of fun, family and friends. I love guessing who the children are at the door, and seeing fire trucks touring the streets. On what other day does the whole community gather on the street in fun and celebration! Then tomorrow, I’ll remember and give thanks to God for the saints in my life, people who have blessed me with their living, who have taught me the best about faith and life and God. And I’ll think about how blessed I am to be part of a community of saints,
called by God to be a blessing in the lives of others!
Happy Hallowe’en! Blessed All Saints Day!

October 31, 2012   ©Susan Lukey 2012

Last modified on Tuesday, 30 September 2025