The Start of the Descent into Winter.

All Hallows Eve.  I still have yet to find refutable proof that Halloween is not the only holiday left that has not been perverted by Christians.  I know, I know, such a horrible thing to say, but seriously think about it alittle bit.

Every major holiday, around the world, that’s celebrated in multiple countries, normally has a religious influence.  Admittedly my range of holidays is mainly in the US, but I know that Christmas is celebrated all over.  I always find it funny to think that it was once Yule, a celebration of pretty much being half way through winter, and getting closer to being out of the darkness and cold.  In most places, long before Christ, it was a time for family to come together and share what they had, especially warmth.

Christians came in and put Christ as the figure head, and added alittle to it.  I still wonder about the science of it all, about Christ’s birth, as most seem to think it was in the Summer, around August, but that’s all just semantics.  In the end, Yule was a great ritual, that got turned around to being more than just about family and what are blessing truly are.

Easter, used to be a fertility festival, hence the whole rabbit thing.  The coming of Spring, time to celebrate flowers and life.  What better time to drop in the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection?  The mixing of birth and rebirth, rabbit and savior is a great way to mix both holiday and event, into making it one in the same.

But...Halloween....  The day the dead rise, and we put on scary masks of to scare them back into their graves.  The Day of the Dead....  Celebrating all the harvests having been brought in, the end of the summer and the begin of the long decent into Winter.

On this day, of all days, I feel a great freedom, like for one day all the yoke of parents slips off, and kids can do what they really want, run around and pilfer can’t from strangers.  Women tend to dress a little less modestly, pretending to be a bit more risque in their lives, and letting a few inhibitions go.

I know some churches try to get kids not to participate, putting out “Trunk or Treat” events and such, but honestly, how can one take that spark away from children’s eyes?  Being a ghost, a ghoul, or batman himself sparks imagination, and enjoyment.

Halloween also brings together neighbors, as parents tote their kids from house to house to get candy from the community.  It’s a great time to see, and be seen, and enjoy seeing children happy.

I for one, hope that the great Christian integration is over, and that Halloween will be left alone.  For tonight, I sit on my front porch, and watch people be truly happy, truly carefree, and kids imagining they are something more than children.  How could anyone stop such adorable things?

Happy Halloween everyone, from Lisa and I both, we hope you are enjoying, and did enjoy your evening!

–Dan