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Hi everyone — since Halloween is upon us, let’s take just a moment to talk about where it really came from. There’s a lot of confusion out there, and sometimes Christians worry that Halloween is “of the devil.” But the truth is, its roots are actually tied very closely to the church — and even the Protestant Reformation.

The word Halloween itself comes from “All Hallows’ Eve” — the night before All Saints’ Day, a Christian holiday going back more than a thousand years. “Hallows” means “holy ones,” or “saints.” So “All Hallows’ Eve” was simply the evening of preparation before Christians celebrated the lives of faithful believers who had gone before them.

Long before candy and costumes, believers gathered to pray, remember the saints, and thank God for the victory of light over darkness through Christ. The next day, November 1st, was All Saints’ Day, and November 2nd became All Souls’ Day — a time to remember all who had died in the faith.

Now, over time, in medieval Europe, these days blended with some older harvest-time folk customs — things like dressing up or lighting lanterns to symbolize triumph over death and evil. When Christianity spread, the church often “baptized” local traditions, giving them new meaning centered on Jesus, not superstition.

And here’s something many people forget — October 31st is also Reformation Day! On that date in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, sparking a movement that called the church back to the gospel of grace. So for Protestants, this date actually celebrates one of the most important events in church history.

Even Jesus celebrated national holidays that weren’t commanded in Scripture — for example, He observed the Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah (John 10:22–23). He used those occasions to honor God and point people toward truth. So it’s perfectly fine for you to take your kids out for some candy, dressed up as their favorite princess or superhero. What matters most is the heart — using every opportunity to live with joy, gratitude, and light in a dark world.

So, far from being “the devil’s holiday,” October 31st has deep Christian roots — remembering the saints, celebrating the gospel, and rejoicing that Christ has conquered death and darkness. That’s something we can all celebrate.