Happy Halloween

1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"

I once heard the late Pastor D.J. Kennedy broadcast where he explained the origin of the modern American celebration of October 31. He explained that Halloween came from three streams.

(1) the Druid or Celtic New Year/Harvest festival called Samhain that included belief that on that New Year's eve,the earth came closest to the unseen spiritual world and believed that ghosts appeared. The Irish went to homes and asked for treats for the celebration. Later children dressed as ghost asked for the treats and if not generous, tricks by these ghosts would result.

(2) Secondly, Midle Ages Central European witchcraft celebration of the High or Black Sabbath of Witches on October 31 with feasting and revelry. this is where witches on flying brooms, black cats, skulls and pumplin heads came from.

(3) Thirdly, Pope Gregory III of the Roman Catholic church appointed November 1 as "all Saints Day, called Allhallowmas. The celebration associated on the evening before, on October 31, was called All Hallow E'en. All Hallow meaning all hallow ones ... the saints (the sanctified church). Hallow E'en contracted, we get the word Halloween.

Of course, in 1517 Martin Luther's 95 Theses were nailed to the church door in Wittenberg and sprung into existance that October 31 as the birthday of Protestantism, or the Evangelical faith. Soli gratia (sloely by grace), Soli Christus (only by Christ), & Soli Fides (only by faith) constituted the three streams of eteral live that flow from the throne of God. Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of the world is the gift of all gifts. Happy Halloween because, not dressed up children, but Jesus Christ, stands at the door and knocks.

Blessings, Brian