There once was a holiday
that honored God’s saints
that merged with a pagan day –
dread had no restraints.

The Samhain* commemorates;
bad spirits are feared …
All Hallow’s Eve celebrates
His children revered.

How the clean and the unclean
could blend in a mess?
But the truth about Halloween:
It’s anyone’s guess!

As if what’s in our own mind
isn’t frightening enough,
in the scriptures you can find
plenty scary stuff.

Though there once was a witch who
called up Samuel’s ghost,
it was what King Saul might do
that scared her the most! ^{[1 Samuel 28]}

There may be many curses
and threats to our cheer,
but in dozens of verses,
our God says, “Don’t fear.” ^{[Isaiah 41:10]}

Of ghouls, vampires and mummies
it can just be said
that, in spite of those dummies,
only God wakes the dead. ^{[Ezekiel 37]}

It’s fun to dress and be seen
in costumes arrayed
But the truth about Halloween?
“Do not be afraid.” ^{[Genesis 15:1]}

It’s exciting with masks on;
it’s fun to know thrill –
but there are evil persons
who hurt and who kill.

So caution has always been
the best trick you’ve got
But the treat about Halloween
is God says, “Fear not.” ^{[Isaiah 43:1]}

Satan, who was prince of the air,
sent evil, no doubt,
to give a child a bad scare –
Jesus threw him out! ^{[Matthew 17]}

Then, that prince-who-had-not-been
nailed Jesus to a tree …
and the truth about Halloween
was Easter, you see. ^{[Acts 2:24]}

To those who would cause harm
and bring terror near,
God sends this solemn alarm:
“It’s Me you should fear.” ^{[Matthew 10:28]}

For His children, always seen,
who hold His truth dear,
Here’s the truth about Halloween:
“My love casts out fear.” ^{[1 John 4:18]}

_{*Pronounced “Sow-win.”}

© 2009, W. Keith Brenton