Everyone knows that by late August the big box stores and their smaller counterparts are stocking their shelves with Halloween costumes, candy and “décor”.
I use the word décor with reluctance because to me, to decorate is to beautify and there is anything but beauty found on those shelves.
How should Christians participate in Halloween? Is there a Halloween alternative?
We could speak at length about the pagan roots of this holiday but that is not my objective. I assume you are reading this post because you are looking for an alternative.
The Biblical principal found in Phillipians 4:8 states in simple terms that we are to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy”
So the short answer is: don’t participate in Halloween.
Moving on! Let’s find a Halloween alternative!
For the first 6 years of having children, we stayed home, put the kids to bed early on October 31st, and locked the front door.
About mid-way through that time period, we moved to a slightly better neighborhood and we would have candy and Christian tracks that we passed out at the front door.
Then we moved to the mountains! The question of what to do about the tricker treaters became a nonissue. It was in this new phase of life, that good friend introduced us to Reformation Day!
You see, it just so happens that Halloween coincides with day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis to the church doors marking the beginning of the Protestant Reformation! Coincidence? I think not!
When our family was introduced to this we were struck with God’s goodness in providing a very worthy point of interst for his people during a time when Satan’s power seems to be at its peak.
So we began a tradition within our homeschool co-cop and church group of acknowledging this day, spending time reviewing this marvelous history and exploring the deeper modern day signifigance.
How can your family or homeschool group appreciate and learn about this time period? We turned it into a wonderful day or learning through games, crafts and you can even through in some food!
Next up, I will be giving you some great resources for planning your own Reformation Day for your crew!
How to Plan a Reformation Day Party
First off, if you need a review of the history of the Protestant Reformation and how it impacts our current world climate, my first resource and recommendation would be to read the book The Great Controversy. Especially chapters 2-8. The book covers a huge portion of word history. But if you need to brush up on Luther and what caused him to nail his 95 theses to the doors, this is the BEST place to start.
*If you have an older group of kids in mind, you could also take the whole month of October to read these chapters or listen to a dramatized version HERE*
Here is a list of other websites that have some great background information to educate your group with.
I will organize the rest of the resources in the format we generally use when planning our Reformation Day gatherings
- Educate.
We always began our reformation day with a informational talk about Luther and the Protestant Reformation. Keep it under 25 mins, and try to answer these questions for your group.
1.Who was Luther?
2.What does Reformation mean?
3. What needed reforming?
4.What were the problems within the Catholic Church system?
5. What was the root of these problems? (i.e. a lack of scripture access for the public)
6.What happened after Luther? The reformation started but didn’t stop with Luther, who carried the torch after him?
Here’s a link to a printable quiz that could help you put together your talk and quiz their knowledge afterward!
https://www.flandersfamily.info/web/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Martin-Luther-Quiz.pdf
2. Songs
Follow up on your talk with a song service and prayer! Luther wrote some beautiful hymns. You may not know all of these, but even reading them aloud would benefit the hearers. However, the classic “A Mighty Fortress is our God” is known by many!
Here is some background on the musical side of Luther!
https://songsandhymns.org/people/detail/martin-luther
Here is a coloring sheet based on the song!
3. Crafts and Activites
For your hands on learners you should include a craft and a game! Here are some links to some cute craft ideas and games.
- Did you know Luther created his own seal that represented different elements of his faith? Here is a link for a coloring sheet of that seal.
- Perhaps you don’t have a big group gathered, here is a link to some computer games that quiz children over reformation day key terms. Click here.
- This blog has some cute ideas for dressing children up in Reformation clothing and even turning a door or your house into the Whittenberg door!
- How about a faux stained glass suncatcher and give them a visual tour of some of the beautiful European cathedrals of the time period? Click here!
- For older children, here is link to some fascinating information about the challenges of operating a printing press and how crucial it was to the Reformation!
- This blogger has some great games and crafts, including a game called, “Toss the Indulgences”
- One of the kids favorite activities is to write a verse onto a piece of paper and hide it somewhere on their person ( someplace not so obvious, like in their hair!) and then they walk a preplanned pather through the yard, they have to pass the “soldiers” ie Parent who tries to guess where the scripture is hidden. This game symbolized the Waldenses and their secret missionary work!
- If you want younger kids to have some print press fun, have them plan out on paper a simple verse, and “print” it by lining up these alphabet stamps!
4. What does Reformation mean to me?
This is an important aspect. Don’t just skip to the food and call it a day. This part can take as long or short as the attention span of your group.
Break up into small groups of 3-4 and let them ponder this question with a group leader. The reformation wasn’t just something from centuries ago.
- Discuss what ways God calls his people to reform their lives (ie habits, attitudes, practices)
- Think of the Biblical reformers, the prophets, what did they call the people to do?
- Discuss in seriousness what happened when people didn’t listen to the call to reform and what is promised to those who do listen.
- Have them write their own Thesis, maybe it only has 3 points or less, but encourage them to identify things in their personal lives that need reforming or conforming to the expressed will of God. They can keep this private put it in their Bibles as a reminder or things they want to pray about and work on.
4. Food
No party is complete without some fun food! What kinds of foods did people eat in Germany at this time in history?
Luckily we can keep this super simple and healthful!
Things we have made in the past focus on:
1 Soup: lentil, vegetable, and barley. Here is a great bean soup recipe!
2.Rustic bread or crackers.
3.Serve some warm herbal tea or here’s a recipe for Wassel.
4.Have a platter of fruit and some pumpkin or zucchini bread for dessert.
**Don’t feel like you have to have a super imaginative menu with “reformation” themed food like sugar cookies shaped like the 95 Thesis or whatever else is out there.
My personal feeling is that when you have worked hard at presenting a serious and really crucial subject like this, you don’t want to tear down the impression made on the listeners by trivializing it with themed food or overly silly games. That’s just me!**
Have you had a Reformation Day Party? I’d love to hear how it went and what activities you included!
Be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss out on more tips and ideas! In a few weeks, I’ll be talking about Thanksgiving and Christmas!
