Halloween And Jack O Lantern
I was wondering if anyone knew the story regarding the jack o lantern and how it represents us...Christ in us is the light, etc. I realize Halloween is a sore subject, but this took a really nice turn on something meant for evil, and I'd like to use it as a witnessing tool this year.
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---Kate on 10/6/06
Helpful Blog Vote (31)
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Stacie ... " Why can't/shouldn't we use All Saints Eve to spread light into a world of darkness???"
But Hallowe'en does not try to do that.
How can dressing up as witches and wizards, and skeletons and ghouls spread light? |
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---alan8566_of_uk on 10/28/09 |
For all of you who say don't mix Christianity with pagean traditions - I guess you celebrate Christmas in April (when the shepards were in their fields, a pope changed it to December), don't have Christmas trees (a pagan tradition), Easter Eggs (pagan fertility tradition) and I could go on and on... Through History Christian leaders have incorporated customs of the people they were trying to reach into their teachings. Why can't/shouldn't we use All Saints Eve to spread light into a world of darkness??? |
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---stacie on 10/27/09 |
I love it, Laura! :) Did you write that? :) |
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---Mary on 10/22/09 |
I am a Jack-O-Lantern
My lights will shine so bright
For Im a Christian pumpkin
My symbols tell whats right
My nose is like the cross
On which our Savior died
To set us free from sin
We need no longer hide
My mouth is like a fish
The whole wide world to show
That Christians live in this house
And love their Savior so!
The story starts at Christmas
My eyes are like the star
That shone on Baby Jesus
And wise men saw from far
My color, it is orange
Just like the big bright sun
That rose on Easter Day
Along with Gods own Son
And so on Halloween
Lets set our pumpkins out
And tell the trick or treaters
What Gods love is all about! |
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---Laura on 10/21/09 |
Jared, all Saints Day is Nov 1th.
But, eve before the day is the start of the day. Like the Jews' day starting the evening before.
Easter starts on Saturday evening. Easter Vigil.
Halloween is about pagans who believed the evil spirits sacrificed humans for their god on Oct 31th.
No one went outside after dark.
If you had to go outside, you put on a evil covering in hopes of tricking the evil spirits that you were one of them.
If an evil spirit knocked on your door.
Your options was treats left at your door instead of yourself.
If the evil spirit liked the treat he left you alone. If not he played a trick on you to get you to come outside.
This isn't a Christian tradition.
It is 100% Pagan! |
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---Nicole on 11/4/08 |
A blacksmith named Jack, when drinking promised his soul to the Devil if he would give him one more drink. The Devil agreed. The Devil turned himself into a coin so Jack could pay the bartender. But Jack put the coin back into his pocket, next to a silver cross, rendering the Devil to transform back. Jack agreed to release the Devil as long as he promised not to take his soul. The Devil reluctantly agreed. The only time Jack would let the Devil out is when he needed something. After a while Jack died. He was too sinful to go to heaven, and the Devil promised not to take his soul. So the Devil tossed him an ember and a pumpkin so he could have light. Jack carved the pumpkin, put the ember in it and is wondering around looking for a place to rest. |
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---Rebecca_D on 11/3/08 |
I like Halloween. Had to work, but I left candy at my home and gospel tracts for the kiddies, letting them know how much Jesus loves them. I did not put up scary decorations or indulge in anything spooky or haunting.
I love candy also. I guess I am just a big kid at heart, and a Christian,to boot. |
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---Robyn on 11/2/08 |
Just go to google and search Christian pumkin, its kinda cute, how we are like pumkins, people judge one by the outside how it looks, but they never really see the messy inside til later. Its really neat, I did it with my class last year and they had a ball with it. There is no halloween stuff involved just a vegetable, and how it is like us. |
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---bethie on 9/30/08 |
Jack was a man who tricked the Devil into promising that he'd never go to Hell. With that promise, he persued a life of debauchery after which he died. Because of his sins, he couldn't get into Heaven, and because of his deal, Hell wouldn't have him.
But the devil scooped out a turnip and put a coal in it so that Jack would have a light as he wandered about earth for eternity.
And THAT's the story of Jack-of-the-Lantern, aka Jack O'Lantern. |
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---Nancy on 11/9/07 |
Hi! I, too, am looking for the story of the jack o lantern which represents how you are changed with Christ. I want to use this at our church's Trunk or Treat evening. Did you happen to find it? |
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---Dora on 10/23/07 |
Oct 31 the Bible answer man is talking indepth on Halloween. Halloween is a christian holiday. too many people have too many false ideas about holidays |
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---Jared on 10/31/06 |
All saints day can be found in any Church history Encyclopedia. Even John Wesley supported it. Linguistically Halloween is a conjunction of All Hallowed Eve. Which is a term for All saints day. Theologians like RC Sproul support this view. And The Bible Answer Man on the radio also supports it. it's pretty common knowledge if you look it up. |
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---Jared on 10/30/06 |
Alan of Uk ::I would concur in Part with Jared, But would add that there is a certain Pagan & Folklore affiliation as well, connected with harvest & the leaving of Food for the dead,so they would not go Hungry. Your Library would give you a good read.However its not authentic,or shall I say gospel. |
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---Emcee on 10/30/06 |
Jared, I too am very interested in your documentation. Who? When? and Where? |
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---jason on 10/30/06 |
Jared ... You spoke a lot of sense on another recent blog.
But where did you get this about Halloween being a Christian Festival? |
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---alan8869_of_UK on 10/30/06 |
"There are three things you should never talk about with people. Religion...politics, and the Great Pumpkin."
Linus {Charlie Brown} |
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---R.A. on 10/27/06 |
Jack o Lanterns were used to scare off the spirits on the salstice, it goes back to the pagan orgigns of Oct 31.
Halloween though is not a total pagan Holiday, but most protestants forget the Christian meaning. Since Oct 31 is the day before All Saints Day Halloween is the celibration of Christ defeat of Evil. People dressed up to poke fun at the Evil one and then celebrated the saints of the church the next day. It is actually a very christian holiday. |
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---Jared on 10/26/06 |
Bruce; Look at where Martha Stewart has been. Prison in WV. She just got out recently. Just because they give directions, doesn't mean one has to do it this way. |
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---Rebecca_D on 10/17/06 |
For those who say Halloween is just another day like Easter and Christmas. I just got Marth Stewart's email with the subject line: Turn your home into a witches lair for Halloween. Projects include: Learn how to make a witche's brew, Craft a witche's curtain, Creat black cat lawn ornaments, "Bad things" Devilish decorating....
Ephesians 5:11, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." |
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---Bruce5656 on 10/13/06 |
I don't believe that anyone should ever go out in costume at Halloween to give our tracts. That is still participating in the event. However, if you open the door to someone who IS 'celebrating' Halloween that is probably a good time to give out a tract. I have a selection of special Halloween tracts ready for the night. Last year no-one came but the previous year I gave out plenty. Perhaps they now deliberately keep away from my home but if newcomers decide to call I really do have a treat for them. |
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---emg on 10/13/06 |
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IF you answer the door to trick or treaters, why not? It would be a shame to give then just CANDY, when you know what they REALLY need. It IS a cute story...something children would easily understand. |
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---Donna2277 on 10/13/06 |
**Try JESUS, The Lily of the Valley and the Bright and Morning Star!!!**
* W * R * O * N * G * !!!
According to all exegesis of the Song of Solomon, it is the BRIDE that is the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley, the one who is Fairest among Ten Thousand, Altogether Lovely.
But this is what happens when people believe ditties instead of reading the Bible for themselves. |
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---Jack on 10/10/06 |
Mixing Christ with worldly religions can be disastrous. God warned us about mixing his doctrine with pagan doctrine. Even if you use the pagan event (such as Halloween) as a witnessing opportunity by giving out tracks or crosses in their bags, you are mixing no matter how subtle. You encourage kids to dress up in costumes or indulge in foods not right for our bodies. Why not practice yoga in church, isn't yoga good for your body?
Christians are to rebuke any dealings with evil works. |
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---Steveng on 10/8/06 |
I don't know, but I do know that Halloween is not something for Christians. |
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---Macky on 10/8/06 |
Niether!!! Try JESUS, The Lily of the Valley and the Bright and Morning Star!!! The SUBSTITUTE on CROSS for YOUR SINS and MINE!!! He DEMONSTRATED GOOD JUDGEMENT and We as CHRISTIANS or CALLED to be CRUCIFIED with CHRIST!!! |
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---renat3893 on 10/7/06 |
Your welcome...now I have to go back and look for the treat for the soul, idea. God Bless! |
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---bethie on 10/7/06 |
Thank you Bethie! I followed your advice and found what I was looking for, and then some! I picked up on a really cute idea for the treat bag (a "sweet treat for the soul"). It will be a fun way to witness, and won't be outside of my budget. Yay! |
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---Kate on 10/6/06 |
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