A Word from Laura: Halloween

Unless Halloween is on a Sunday, as happens this year, I love that my only responsibility is to put on my witch hat and give out candy. A part of me wishes it were always on a Sunday, though, and here’s why:

1)       It’s a chance to remember that Halloween began as a religious holiday in Scotland and Ireland, as the eve of All Hallows’ Day, the day of remembering the dead and honoring the spiritual connections that continue between the dead and the living. It’s also an opportunity to remember Dia de los Muertos, a recognition that this religious celebration still has many cultural flavors. In a year when so many have known such loss, it’s good to remember the day’s spiritual origins.

2)      Protestants remember October 31, 1517 as Reformation Day, when Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door in Wittenberg. Luther’s choice of days was no accident. A crowd would gather the following day to venerate the saints by coming to observe the vast collection of their relics amassed by Frederick the Wise, founder of the university at Wittenberg. Both Luther and Calvin saw the veneration of relics- of dubious origin, purported to have healing powers - as a sideshow at best, chicanery at worst! (No relics, please…)

3)      No matter what year, but especially this year, we need the chance to laugh at what scares us. In fact, it’s a matter of faith to be able to admit that sometimes we are afraid, sometimes our fears are legitimate, and yet God’s power and grace outweigh any potential threat. We may claim the giggle with the child in the monster costume or the laugh at the made-up skeleton on someone’s porch as reminders of God’s grace, teaching us to laugh in the face of fear.

You may have your own reasons or ways you celebrate the spiritual side of Halloween; I would love to hear them! Feel free to celebrate Halloween on Sunday by adding a few articles of clothing to the mask you’ll already be wearing, and make it as costume for in-person or on-line worship on Sunday.

And whether you’re drinking coffee, tea, or witches’ brew (or a little of each), may God’s grace and peace be ever with you,

Laura