God's Treats

Well, it was the usual Halloween rush for us. A quick dinner. Running our oldest to a Halloween party. Getting costumes we thought were ready together. Buying a bit more candy just to be sure. Finding a way to encase the dog so she doesn't scare the trick-or-treaters. Crazy fun!
Until I moved up north, I'd never known people who didn't celebrate Halloween. I've met adults who find it scary and want nothing to do with it. I was in a Bible study with a woman who really went off on it. I felt a little attacked. So I told her, "Like anything else, Halloween is what you make it. Make it scary and it will be. Make it fun and you will have tons. We make it a time for fall, beautiful colors, pumpkins, gourds and candy corn. We thank God for the farmers and their hard work all year round. We thank Him for a good harvest. Of all the scary costumes out there, there are so much more that are funny, pretty or strikingly original. My favorite? An outhouse!" She just glared at me. Oh well.
I don't mean to make fun of anyone. You don't like Halloween then that's your choice. I do get people who are scared by it. But, there's a small part of me that enjoys that. I have great memories of trick-or-treating in my small hometown. Going to friends' houses and favorite teachers. My grandparents was always the best. Can you say "Motherload" ? Because they sure could!
As we got older it was haunted houses and haunted woods. And some other stuff I plead the fifth on.
However you feel about it, I like to think of the religious significance of it. Being a huge fan of Martin Luther we celebrate Reformation Day at church. That's when Big Marty nailed his 95 theses on the church door. Didn't go over too well. I guess that makes us the protesters of the protester. Groovey.
Our Catholic friends celebrate All Hallow's Eve and All Saints Day. I believe my celtic ancestors brought the tradition over. They believed the hobgoblins were out on the 31st and dressing like them would keep them unawares and the humans safe. Good plan really.
This year I really reflected on God's treats as a bunch of kids sang, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" when I opened the door. How cool is that? Totally broke the two piece candy rule on that one! It made me think about Christmas. There was a chill in the air afterall. It made me think of all we've been blessed with. Enough for a pretty good life. Enough to buy costumes for our kids and candy for the neighborhood kiddos. To laugh and love and even get some exercise as we retrieved candy. Seeing some incredibly creative costumes and talking to friends. Though few things compare to chocolate, God's treats far outweigh anything I can think of!