Why?

Post originally written in my journal:

I don't get it? Halloween that is. Why do we feel this is a day we must participate in? Some say its origin is good other sites I go to state that the origins of Halloween are pure evil in motive and purpose. Whatever the case may be, think about what it has been turned into now. It is called Devil's Day. There is an increase in crime on Halloween. It takes focus off of God completely by putting the focus on disgusting costumes, drunken parties, tricks, vandelism and greed. Greed? Yes, greed. We encourage our children to beg for candy and they get pillow cases full of it and are not satisfied. What is Godly about Halloween? Yes, we can turn it all around and make our costume a nice costume or even something biblical but where, then, are we being different? Are we not supposed to be different from the world? Where is our difference? If we are out dressed up and trick or treating with them, how are we being different?

I feel the same way about the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. Fine, they are not evil. There is nothing to fear from an egg bearing bunny and a toy toting elf but, we lose the focus on what really matters during these times of year. God gets lost in the shuffle and I personally think that breaks His heart. Our focus turns from Him and onto stuff. We turn the bunny and the elf into idols. We are not supposed to have idols. Is it not bad enough that we turn every day things like tv, computers, game boys, nintendos, work, etc into idols that we have to add these guys into the mix to really nulify the significance of Jesus' birth and death and resurrection?

I don't cast judgement on people who do feel it all right to celebrate or particiapate along with the world but it saddens me. Just remember we are supposed to be different. That doesn't mean, in my opinion, that we can do what the world does as long as we put a spin on it. We are supposed to set ourselves apart. I don't think that means giving the best candy because Jesus would give out the best candy. Think about it for a minute, do you really think that Jesus would be handing out candy to a bunch of kids or do you think He may have something a little better to do with His time, like preaching the word to the world that our actions should honor His father not mute what His father has done for us.

Just my opinion.