The Problem of Pain – C. S. Lewis
Halloween, also known as All Hallows Day or All Saint’s Eve is traditionally celebrated in many countries on the 31st of October to remember the dead, including saints and martyrs. It is believed to have pagan roots dating back from the Celtic harvest festival of Samhain prior to being enveloped into Christianity.
The Christian religious observances included attending church services after dark and setting lit candles on the tombs in the graveyard. However, in modern times the celebrations can take on many other forms including dressing-up, costume parties, macabre decorations, jack o’lanterns (pumpkins or turnips), apple bobbing and toffee apples … just to mention a few.
When we moved to Scotland I wanted to continue being part of the Trick or Treat tradition but in these times, I was concerned that as a stranger it would not be accepted. The first year here I decorated the front porch hoping that passing children and their parents would visit. It was done-up to excess with all windows covered in bats and spiders. There was a huge 6ft paper witch, a broom-stick, flashing lights and even a mist maker and spooky music. To say it was a success was an understatement.
So, the tradition began. Every year I do the same and every year we get more and more visitors. There is however a new trend emerging where children are returning to the old values of the activity. It is also nice to see so many parents getting together in groups as chaperones and a lot of hard work and care has been put into the costumes and the children, rather than simply collecting as many goodies as they can many of them are again enjoying reciting rhymes and telling jokes.