Celebrating October 31st Growing up I got to participate in Trick or Treating until I was 12 (I think that is the oldest you are supposed to be). After that, I may or may not have gone 'bag snatching'. (I may or may not have gotten in some trouble as a youth:) I always enjoyed the dressing up and getting candy from total strangers. Think about it, how awesome is that? Once a year we jettison all the rules: dental hygiene- GONE! Calorie counting (not really the only time each year that we do this one, but so that we can all feel good will say this is the one time we do this) GONE! Talking and receiving candy from strangers..........................GONE! Oh yes-GONE! Sometime during my teenaged years and since, I have heard from our "RED" Christians (didn't red used to be associated with communism? Just a thought) that Trick or Treating is WICKED. It is Devilish. You know that type of churches I am talking about. They have those nifty signs that say "We don't Halloween. WE HALLOW THE KING!" A-W-E -S.O.M.E AWESOME AWESOME ARE WE!! (NIFTY CHEER FOR THE NIFTY SIGN). WE say Hallow you say KING Leaders "HALLOW" ALL- "KING" LEADERS- "HALLOW" ALL-"KING" WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW! Anyway back to the story, or the rest of the story. When I became an adult (Not sure when that really happened, but the Government said at 18 for military purposes and voting and 21 for drinking purposes....not that I have ever drank as far as you know-I plead the 5th, no I don't, yes I do..........Confused? good!) I decided to go the Red Christian route until I studied for a Christmas sermon a few years ago. During that time I came to find that Christmas celebration began in the 4th century to give Christians something to celebrate during the pagan (Redneck false god worshippers) celebration of the birth of the Sun God. So Christians (or non pagans) would celebrate the S-O-N instead of the S-U-N. (I just like spelling that out, since I have heard no less than 1000 sermons with a preacher saying that. They are really original.....What's that smell? oh, it sardonicism (I just wanted to use the word sardonic,, it's a good Tom Crum (my dad) word) . It was during this time that I realized that there was no prohibition in scripture to celebrate "Halloween" since whatever origin it may or may not have had, has nothing to do with what is really celebrated today-CANDY, OH SWEET CANDY! As much as I love the Reformation (Also happened on October 31st) and the 5 Solas that it brought about/back: 1. Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone 2. Sola Gratia: Grace Alone 3. Sola Fide: Faith Alone 4. Solo Christo: Christ Alone 5. Soli Deo Gloria: The Glory of God Alone I also think that the Reformers would want my children to celebrate there freedom by eating candy and sharing it with dad! Especially if they get some Reseese Peanut Butter Cups (I really like those).

Celebrating October 31st by Trick or treating! If you have some comments to make, go ahead, and when I get back from taking my kids to get candy from neighbors and strangers I respond.

For you "Fall Festivalers"...well have fun.

Eating Candy from Trick or Treating for the Glory of God and having fun for both us and the RED CHristians.

S