Make This A Real Halloween (#184)
Say, why don’t you make this a REAL Halloween?
Do you know when Halloween started?
Did you know that once it was a Holy evening? A long time ago . . .
A long time ago the church decided to celebrate All Saints Day on November 1 every year. It was a special day to help those who love Jesus remember the saints (people who loved Jesus so much, they gave their lives to help others.)
The evening before this very important day was called a hallowed or holy evening – a little like Christmas Eve. People were asked to use the time to get ready to remember the saints who loved Jesus.
During this hallowed evening (Hallowe’en), the poor could go to the homes of those who loved Jesus and ask for food. If you loved Jesus, you would bake some special cakes and put a candle in the window to welcome the poor.
It was a special time for those who loved Jesus. Children would watch by the window – waiting for a poor family to come and ask for food. Mothers would try to send them to bed, but every time they heard another knock on the door, they would sneak to the window to see who came.
But some people didn’t like those who followed Jesus. To tease them, they began dressing up like witches, devils and ghosts, knocking on the doors of those who followed Jesus and frightening the children. It was a cruel thing to do – especially taking a holy evening and turning it into something evil.
But that’s something you should know:
That sin enters every part of our world and ruins it. But God sent His Son Jesus into our world to take all the punishment for sin so you and I can be right with God. That’s why I love Jesus and try my hardest to do what He wants.
I am glad you came to my house tonight. You didn’t come to tease me for following Jesus. For me, this is a special night because it gives me a chance to urge YOU to follow Jesus. If you decide to do that, you will turn this into a REAL Hallowe’en – a holy evening – and you will make Jesus, smile and the angels sing.
I hope you enjoy this little treat, and if you are ready to follow Jesus, here is a prayer for you:
“Jesus, I am sorry for the things I do and
say that are wrong. Make me your child,
take care of me and help me from now on
to follow you. Amen”
Remember you can learn about following Jesus by talking to someone who loves him.