Tuesday November 1st is traditionally a Christian festival call All Saints Day. A day when some Christians remember and pray for those who have died in the preceding months, recalling with thanks all those who have lived great Christian lives down the centuries.
Monday 31st October is 'Halloween' which is really a corruption of ‘All Hallows Eve’. Exactly what is celebrated when people dress up in costume and go out to trick and treat is often not clear. There have been associated ‘pranks’, some more malevolent than others, over many years. The connection with images drawn from Gothic and horror literature is more recent as is the practice of ‘trick and treating’ which is an import from the USA.
It’s a time when many Christians are concerned about this focus on darkness rather than light and dabbling with evil especially by the young. If you would like to choose to focus on All Saints Day rather than 'Halloween' this year here’s two suggestions.
Why not join in the Damaris countdown to All Saints Day and choose to watch one of their All Saints Day videos each day in the lead up to next Tuesday.
Or if you would like to take your children to something which has a positive focus on light on the Monday evening (31st Oct) our neighbouring church St Hugh’s (in Leagrave) will be running a 'light 'party. For more details go to http://www.sthughs.org.uk/news/family-light-party-2/
