Keeping the tree, the treating and Tinks.

On Sunday at church we got to watch an amazing documentary called 'A call to India' which was filmed and produced by a guy in our church.   I am going to do a separate post about it as is was so inspirational.   Evangelism done with absolute respect and sensitivity.   Christianity at its best.

Last night we went trick or treating like we do every year.   Halloween is not big like in the US but certain neighbourhood do have a whole bunch of kids dressing up and getting sweets/candy.   For many conservative South African christians, it is a huge No-No.   Many of these anti-people are my dear friends yet I still have to respectfully disagree here.   I am not drinking my cats blood and then placing kitty on the fire.  (I did catch it weeing in the corner of my room this morning tho' and definitely felt like sacrificing it to the big blue kitty litter box in the sky)   We are not singing happy birthday to the devil or focusing on anything evil or ugly.  I understand they say things are happining in the spiritual realm that are dodgy but kids and candy are the total opposite spirit.   What we ARE doing is getting all dressed up and taking our loot bags and going to the houses with balloons outside and knocking on the door yelling TRICK OR TREAT!!!!!!    I love seeing all the costumes and the other moms and the friendly vibe from the people who are standing at the door with bags of sweets.  I love the glowing pumpkins and the whole fun vibe of the evening.  I find it ironic that most CHRISTIAN Americans do trick or treat and have fun on Halloween and recognize it for a fun and innocent holiday.  

I know some people do not even do Christmas.  The tree is a bad thing somehow, its apparently not even His birthday that day, the gifts are commercial, Santa is seeing as telling lies to your kids, the whole day is just not the done thing.   Well I love family and food and prezzies and tradition and eating till I have to undo my belt and going to church that morning and thanking God for His son that has brought my life amazing peace and love and colour and meaning.  

I resent that Rebeka was given a hard time at school yesterday by some child accusing her of celebrating the devils birthday.  She eventually told her to mind her own business.   I hate that Tinkerbell and other little fairy characters are seen as evil with spiritual connotations that I just don't get.   I am keeping Easter with the chocolates, my fresh gorgeous Christmas tree, the tooth fairy, trick or treating and all the sentimental traditional holidays and practises that my family enjoy.   Jesus was totally anti religion.  He loved God and He loved people.  He loved eating and hanging out with friends.  He especially loved kids and I would imagine he thought mine were pretty cute yesterday.   

Once again, respectfully agreeing to disagree here.  Lets focus on loving Him with all our hearts, all our minds and all our souls and loving our neighbour as we love ourselves.  

Gary's shoes worn over hers which I had to carry for most of the evening!  Becks was an angel with a halo and wings.  I was the warm and comfy mama.

Comments

[Steve Hayes]

Interesting, that's the first I've heard of South Africans keeping Hallowe'en like in America. Once, 40 years ago, in Windhoek, Namibia, I knew a bunch of kids that weren trick or treating, but they were from American families and were used to doing it back home. I suspect that most of the people whose doors they knocked on had no idea what they were about!

[Hayley]

I love that Halloween is growing in popularity here in SA. I also see it as just a fun holiday...

Love this post, agree with everything you said!

[Missy]

I think us humans are the one that place all the negativity and evil thinking into what children consider innocent and fun. I just love the whole atmosphere of the neighbourhoods children knocking on your door all dressed up - I love guessing who's behind the mask or wig and it ends up being loads of giggles and marshmallows. Sometimes adults can just be too analytical (Spelling)!