If you’ve spent any time in the U.S. during the fall season, particularly in October, you’ve probably noticed some unique decor and spooky themes– pumpkins, spider webs, costumes, candy, etc. Most Americans love celebrating Halloween, but where did this holiday actually come from, and what does it mean?
Let’s take a look at the story behind Halloween and how followers of Jesus see it today.
🍂 From Harvest Festivals to Halloween
Halloween began more than 2,000 years ago with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, a season people associated with darkness and death.
The Celts believed that on the night of October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred and that spirits could walk the earth. To protect themselves, people lit bonfires and wore costumes to scare away unwanted spirits.
⛪ A Christian Connection
When Christianity spread into those regions later, the Church wanted to give people a new way to remember the dead, one filled with hope instead of fear.
They established All Saints’ Day (also called All Hallows’ Day) on November 1, a day to honor followers of Jesus who had died. The night before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which eventually became Halloween.
Over time, the old customs and the new Christian traditions came together.
🇺🇸 How Halloween Came to America
Immigrants from Ireland and Scotland brought Halloween to the United States in the 1800s. Over the years, the holiday became more of a community celebration than a spiritual one.
Children began dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door asking for treats, which we now know as “trick-or-treating.” Pumpkins replaced turnips as “jack-o’-lanterns”, and Halloween became a time for fun, creativity, and sweets rather than spirits.
Today, most Americans see Halloween as a cultural holiday centered on costumes, candy, and family/friends.
✝️ A Christian Perspective
Since Halloween includes both ancient pagan and Christian influences, followers of Jesus approach it in different ways:
- Some avoid the day because of its darker themes.
- Others redeem it by using it as an opportunity to show love, hospitality, and light.
- Many churches host “harvest festivals” or “light parties” to offer families a safe, joyful place to gather.
For some Christians, Halloween can be a reminder that Jesus brings light into darkness and life where there was death:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5
Although the primary cultural influences focus on fear and death at Halloween, followers of Jesus can focus on His victory over death and fear.
🌏 What to do as an International Student
For many international students, Halloween is one of the first unique American holidays they experience! It’s a great way to learn about U.S. culture, meet new people, and maybe even try carving a pumpkin for the first time.
But it’s also a chance to ask deeper questions about culture, fear, death, and hope. Why do people celebrate this day? How do different faiths view it? What does it mean to live in the light instead of fear?
At IFI, we see Halloween as an opportunity to build friendships, open our homes, and share the hope we have in Jesus: the One who overcomes darkness with His light.
💬 Takeaways:
If you’re new to Halloween, try going to a community event or joining your American friends for pumpkin carving or trick-or-treating. Ask them what Halloween means to them and share what you’ve learned about its story.
You might find there are a variety of answers, and that it’s not just about candy and costumes… but also about connection, conversation, and community.
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