Recently, a concerned fellow Christian reached out to me about my participation in Halloween festivities, questioning how this aligns with my faith. Her message was sincere and rooted in a desire to follow God’s Word, so I wanted to respond thoughtfully and truthfully. This conversation raised important questions about how we, as Christians, navigate holidays and the importance of focusing on the heart rather than external traditions.

The Bible says, “Therefore, do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day” (Colossians 2:16). This verse sets the foundation for understanding that our salvation is not tied to participating in or avoiding certain holidays. It’s about our relationship with Jesus and the grace He offers, not the external traditions we might choose to engage in.

People aren’t going to hell because they trick-or-treat, go on hayrides, or participate in community events. If we start thinking that engaging in these activities determines our salvation, we’re missing the whole point of the Gospel. Salvation is not about avoiding certain holidays; it’s about having a relationship with Jesus Christ and accepting His grace. The Gospel teaches that salvation hinges on faith in Jesus, not on whether we abstain from cultural practices.

If people celebrate Halloween to honor Satan, then we might ask if most Americans celebrate Christmas to honor Jesus. The truth is, many do not. Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, birthdays—all of these holidays have been commercialized and stripped of their original intent. The problem isn’t necessarily participating in these days; it’s where our hearts are during these times. Are we using these moments to share love, kindness, and the truth of God’s Word, or are we getting caught up in the superficial elements?

This concern also brings to mind the topic of church attendance. Many believe that simply going to church puts them in God’s good graces. Some churches even teach that if you don’t show up, you need to repent and “get back in line.” But that’s not the message of the Gospel. Romans 10:9-10 makes this clear: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” It’s about faith and the condition of the heart, not about checking off religious boxes or sitting in a pew every Sunday. God is more concerned with our heart’s transformation than with our outward conformity.

Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation is not about avoiding worldly traditions; it’s about letting God change us from the inside out. Too often, we try to simplify this deep spiritual transformation into a set of rules: “Don’t celebrate this,” “Go to church every week,” “Look a certain way.” True change comes from the Holy Spirit working in our lives, shaping our mindset, and drawing us closer to Christ.

I’m sure the concern comes from a place of love and care, but we need to reflect on the impact of our approach. How many people have been pushed away from Christ by a harsh, judgmental tone? Thankfully, my relationship with Jesus is strong; I know I am His. However, what if my faith were lukewarm? A message like this, filled with condemnation, could cause confusion and strife, turning me away instead of drawing me closer. When Christians stand on a pedestal shouting, “REPENT!” over things like Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or even birthday celebrations, they often do more harm than good. It doesn’t draw people closer to God; it makes them feel judged and rejected. Jesus didn’t place Himself above others in this way; He walked among them, showing love and compassion.

These holidays—Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, birthdays—have become retail events, much like how church has become a ritualistic routine for many. My life belongs to Jesus, and a community event where we hand out candy to kids doesn’t change that. In fact, I know many people who use these events as an opportunity to hand out Bible tracts and share the Gospel. God is at work in all things, even in places we might least expect. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” It’s not about the holiday itself but how we allow God to use it for His glory.

In my jail ministry, I’ve learned the importance of approaching people with grace rather than judgment. Imagine if I walked into a jail cell and told an inmate they’re beyond saving because they committed a crime. How would that lead them to the Gospel? It wouldn’t. It would shut them down immediately. The risk of pushing them further away from Christ is too great. Jesus Himself warned us about this in Matthew 18:6: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” When we approach others with harsh judgment, we risk causing them to stumble. My role in the jail ministry is to share a message of hope, love, and grace, not to condemn them for their past.

The same approach applies here. Our energy should be focused on sharing the hope and truth of Christ’s sacrifice, not attacking others over holidays or cultural traditions. We need to remember that we’re not the ones who judge others’ salvation; that’s between each individual and Christ. Let’s keep our focus where it belongs: on love, truth, and bringing people to the real message of salvation. God can work through all things—even Halloween—to reach those who need to hear His message. Our job is to be His hands and feet, not to dictate who’s in or out based on the way they navigate these cultural events.

As Christians, let’s commit to being vessels of grace and truth, pointing others to the loving arms of Christ without getting lost in legalism or judgmental attitudes. This is how we honor God and truly fulfill the calling He has placed on our lives.

The person that messaged me shared an article regarding the pagan beginnings of Halloween. I did a little research.

Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and even birthdays have elements that can be traced back to pagan traditions. Many of these holidays have been shaped by a mix of cultural, religious, and secular practices over centuries, often incorporating customs from earlier pagan celebrations. Here’s a brief overview of how each of these holidays has some connections to pagan roots:

1. Christmas: While Christmas is celebrated as the birth of Jesus, the specific date of December 25th was likely chosen to coincide with the Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia and the birthday of the sun god, Sol Invictus. Many Christmas customs, such as decorating trees, gift-giving, and feasting, have parallels in these pagan festivities. The use of evergreen trees and the Yule log, for example, are linked to ancient winter solstice traditions in Northern Europe, where evergreens symbolized life in the midst of winter.
2. Valentine’s Day: The origins of Valentine’s Day are connected to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, an ancient fertility festival held in mid-February. During Lupercalia, participants would conduct rituals intended to purify the city and promote fertility. The holiday eventually became associated with Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr, but many of its traditions, such as romantic love and the exchange of tokens, carry echoes of its pagan roots.
3. Easter: While Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, its timing and some associated customs have connections to pagan springtime festivals. The name “Easter” itself may be derived from “Eostre,” an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. Customs like egg decorating and the Easter bunny are thought to have roots in ancient pagan symbols of fertility and new life.
4. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays can also be traced back to ancient pagan practices. The Greeks, for instance, would honor the moon goddess Artemis by offering moon-shaped cakes adorned with candles. The idea was that the smoke carried prayers up to the gods. In some cultures, it was believed that evil spirits were more active on a person’s birthday, so parties were held to offer protection and bring good luck.

While these holidays have pagan elements, many have been adapted and redefined by Christians over the centuries to celebrate Christian beliefs and values. For example, Christmas and Easter focus on the birth and resurrection of Jesus, emphasizing key events in Christian theology.

So, while there are aspects of these holidays that can be linked to pagan traditions, their current forms and the ways they are celebrated vary widely. For many Christians, the focus is not on the pagan origins but on the opportunity to celebrate significant aspects of their faith, such as the birth and resurrection of Christ or the expression of love and community.

The key question is where the heart and focus lie during these celebrations. Colossians 2:16 reminds us not to judge others by their participation in festivals or cultural practices. What matters most is the heart behind our actions and how we can use these opportunities to share God’s love and truth with those around us.

And remember only ONE truly knows the heart of the individual. 1 Samuel 16:7: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”