Whether or not you celebrate Halloween, it's worth noting that the name comes from it being the night before All Saints' Day, or All Hallows. (Hence, "Hallows' eve" or "evening" becomes Hallow e'en.)
All Saints' Day was established by the Church to honor all the martyrs and faithful followers of Christ who didn't have their own "day" in the church. The eleventh chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews is known for its list of heroes who lived their lives for God. The writer lists Bible characters like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah; Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses.
In all their descriptions, the writer of Hebrews start the thought with "By faith" they did this or that. By faith, by faith... He lists many more, and then writes, in Hebrews 12:1-2:
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that
was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God. (NKJV)
Halloween is more than costumes and candy. You can make it a remembrance of God's centuries of faithfulness in the lives of individuals like you. That's no trick, just a huge treat!
-- Anonymous
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