Advice

ADVICE

Dealing with the 'dark side'

As Hallowe’en approaches, HILARY MCDOWELL suggests 10 positive ways to mark the festival

Is your house invaded at this time of year with masks, broomsticks, and the obligatory pumpkin? Can we enjoy Hallowe’en without the danger of seeming to give a nodding agreement to an 'acceptable' dalliance with darkness?

Consider 10 steps we might attempt in exploring an ‘innocent’ celebration of the mid-term break:

Teach the children about All Soul’s night and its Christian meaning. Develop at least one meal-time a week where ALL the family meet around the table at the same time, a great place to flesh things out.
Discover what they actually think about real-life wizardry (as opposed to what we have seen in TV programmes or popular books on the subject). They can pleasantly surprise us sometimes.
Learn how to present the Christian concept of ‘the dark side’ without over-reacting to the innocent trappings of Hallowe’en.
Provide healthy alternative parties for the children at this time of year.
Invent enjoyable games which ‘unmask’ evil. A practical one I invented is ‘Hallowe’en hide and seek’ where masks are hidden about the house and then each child who finds one has to think of many modern-day characters (or things) which might ‘hide’ behind this mask ie drugs and alcohol abuse, deceitful dishonesty, fear, violence, (or if it is teenagers playing the game) sexual immorality. Spend some time helping them make alternative masks to wear. Perhaps ‘hero’ masks are best. These in themselves can present opportunities to lead to discussion regarding what really makes a hero from a Christian point of view.
Natural tendencies gravitate towards wanting to wear the most grotesque, scariest mask and costume available (wasn’t it ever so!) How about a discussion about why we feel the need to scare other people? ‘Fun’, would probably be the most common answer – but why is it fun? Does bullying, having power over others, enjoying the sensation of ‘controlling’ come into such feelings? Here is where the right use of ‘power’ (as Jesus demonstrated it) is worth a discussion.
We cannot banish fear altogether from Hallowe’en any more than we can banish it completely from our children’s lives. Unfortunately there is something deliciously tempting about that which is forbidden. Ever enjoyed feeling scared at a horror movie? It can equip us to come to terms with fear and master it. The secret is in the degree and the limitation of that sensation before it overwhelms. Teach the children some Christian ‘tools’ in having victory over fear and the terror will become channelled into excitement.
Rather than throwing out all trappings of Hallowe’en, what about transforming them as Christ promises to transform our lives? For example, a lighted pumpkin lantern can become a symbol of light with its features sculpted into a smile rather than a scary face. A broom can sweep evil from a house rather than provide transport for a passing ‘witch’ in flight. Fireworks can be carefully ‘policed’ and restricted to a safe area to avoid the terror which they can bring to neighbourhood pets, not to mention younger children. Games can be rewarded by ‘treats’ each time a positive virtue is espoused or demonstrated. ‘Tricks’ can be identified with the negative deceitfulness sometimes associated with Hallowe’en and rejected in discussion.
Short sketches can be devised by the children and enacted to ‘re-write Hallowe’en’ as it might become if no-one got hurt by a firework, or was tempted to be involved in evil pursuits, but instead looked out for one another.
If the context of the discussions is a youth group where teaching the Bible is in progress, a good subject to explore for Hallowe’en is, “How did Jesus deal with the ‘dark’ side? Can ‘black’ ever be considered ‘white’ as some TV shows such as Charmed often paint it?”

I have precious memories of the wonderful Hallowe’en parties which my Dad used to throw for the children of the neighbourhood in our back garden. For me, Hallowe’en was about getting off school.

It was about being allowed to stay up late. It was about watching in awe as my father risked his eyebrows and fingers in lighting the most gloriously spectacular, dramatic and beautiful show of fireworks a child of that era could imagine.

It was about warming icy toes and fingers afterwards by the open fire and making up stories about what we could see as we stared into the crackling flames. It was about dunking for apples and cracking open nuts, and improvising plays and praying for all entrapped in many kinds of darkness. It was about having innocent fun.

Nowadays of course the contemporary scene inverts as much as it can. ‘Black’ is to be considered ‘white’. ‘Evil’ is presented as merely exercising our freedom, and Hallowe’en is a good way to let off steam. As for the ‘bad-un’ – where is he in all of this? Well, according to a great deal of popular belief, he is non-existent. Boy, has he done a great public relations job on himself!

Having convinced many people that he is merely a figure of fun with horns, or an ancient myth, or a dangerous mental obsession to be ignored or healed, he has made it possible to move among us with relative impunity. Let’s not give him licence to start with the children. Let us be vigilant this Hallowe’en and remove his mask. Most of all, let’s frustrate his purposes by the power of Christ’s strength by ensuring that our youngsters have the very best of innocent fun.

Hilary McDowell, a deaconess for 22 years, now lives by faith exercising lay ministry across the denominations. An international speaker and Bible teacher, she is the author of four books and is based in Belfast

FURTHER STUDY

Witchcraft and the black arts: Deuteronomy 18:10-11, Leviticus 19:31
Light/darkness: Matthew 6:22-23, Luke 11:33-35, John 1:5, 3:19-21, 12:35-36, Acts 26:18, Romans 13:11-14, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 1:5-7
To combat temptation: Philippians 4:8 (and fear) 1 John 4:18
Christ’s right use of power: Philippians 2: 5-10
Renewal and transformation: Romans 12:2
Jesus dealing with the dark side: Luke 8:26-33, 9:1, 10:17-20, 1 John 4:4
Ways to think of Satan: 1 Peter 5:8,9 James 4:7
Jesus mentions Satan: Mark 4:15, Luke 10:31, 22:31,32

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		ADVICE Dealing with the 'dark side' As Hallowe’en approaches, HILARY MCDOWELL suggests 10 positive ways to mark the festival Is your house invaded at this time of year with masks, broomsticks, and the obligatory pumpkin? Can we enjoy Hallowe’en without the danger of seeming to give a nodding agreement to an 'acceptable' dalliance with darkness? Consider 10 steps we might attempt in exploring an ‘innocent’ celebration of the mid-term break: Teach the children about All Soul’s night and its Christian meaning. Develop at least one meal-time a week where ALL the family meet around the table at the same time, a great place to flesh things out. Discover what they actually think about real-life wizardry (as opposed to what we have seen in TV programmes or popular books on the subject). They can pleasantly surprise us sometimes. Learn how to present the Christian concept of ‘the dark side’ without over-reacting to the innocent trappings of Hallowe’en. Provide healthy alternative parties for the children at this time of year. Invent enjoyable games which ‘unmask’ evil. A practical one I invented is ‘Hallowe’en hide and seek’ where masks are hidden about the house and then each child who finds one has to think of many modern-day characters (or things) which might ‘hide’ behind this mask ie drugs and alcohol abuse, deceitful dishonesty, fear, violence, (or if it is teenagers playing the game) sexual immorality. Spend some time helping them make alternative masks to wear. Perhaps ‘hero’ masks are best. These in themselves can present opportunities to lead to discussion regarding what really makes a hero from a Christian point of view. Natural tendencies gravitate towards wanting to wear the most grotesque, scariest mask and costume available (wasn’t it ever so!) How about a discussion about why we feel the need to scare other people? ‘Fun’, would probably be the most common answer – but why is it fun? Does bullying, having power over others, enjoying the sensation of ‘controlling’ come into such feelings? Here is where the right use of ‘power’ (as Jesus demonstrated it) is worth a discussion. We cannot banish fear altogether from Hallowe’en any more than we can banish it completely from our children’s lives. Unfortunately there is something deliciously tempting about that which is forbidden. Ever enjoyed feeling scared at a horror movie? It can equip us to come to terms with fear and master it. The secret is in the degree and the limitation of that sensation before it overwhelms. Teach the children some Christian ‘tools’ in having victory over fear and the terror will become channelled into excitement. Rather than throwing out all trappings of Hallowe’en, what about transforming them as Christ promises to transform our lives? For example, a lighted pumpkin lantern can become a symbol of light with its features sculpted into a smile rather than a scary face. A broom can sweep evil from a house rather than provide transport for a passing ‘witch’ in flight. Fireworks can be carefully ‘policed’ and restricted to a safe area to avoid the terror which they can bring to neighbourhood pets, not to mention younger children. Games can be rewarded by ‘treats’ each time a positive virtue is espoused or demonstrated. ‘Tricks’ can be identified with the negative deceitfulness sometimes associated with Hallowe’en and rejected in discussion. Short sketches can be devised by the children and enacted to ‘re-write Hallowe’en’ as it might become if no-one got hurt by a firework, or was tempted to be involved in evil pursuits, but instead looked out for one another. If the context of the discussions is a youth group where teaching the Bible is in progress, a good subject to explore for Hallowe’en is, “How did Jesus deal with the ‘dark’ side? Can ‘black’ ever be considered ‘white’ as some TV shows such as Charmed often paint it?” I have precious memories of the wonderful Hallowe’en parties which my Dad used to throw for the children of the neighbourhood in our back garden. For me, Hallowe’en was about getting off school. It was about being allowed to stay up late. It was about watching in awe as my father risked his eyebrows and fingers in lighting the most gloriously spectacular, dramatic and beautiful show of fireworks a child of that era could imagine. It was about warming icy toes and fingers afterwards by the open fire and making up stories about what we could see as we stared into the crackling flames. It was about dunking for apples and cracking open nuts, and improvising plays and praying for all entrapped in many kinds of darkness. It was about having innocent fun. Nowadays of course the contemporary scene inverts as much as it can. ‘Black’ is to be considered ‘white’. ‘Evil’ is presented as merely exercising our freedom, and Hallowe’en is a good way to let off steam. As for the ‘bad-un’ – where is he in all of this? Well, according to a great deal of popular belief, he is non-existent. Boy, has he done a great public relations job on himself! Having convinced many people that he is merely a figure of fun with horns, or an ancient myth, or a dangerous mental obsession to be ignored or healed, he has made it possible to move among us with relative impunity. Let’s not give him licence to start with the children. Let us be vigilant this Hallowe’en and remove his mask. Most of all, let’s frustrate his purposes by the power of Christ’s strength by ensuring that our youngsters have the very best of innocent fun. Hilary McDowell, a deaconess for 22 years, now lives by faith exercising lay ministry across the denominations. An international speaker and Bible teacher, she is the author of four books and is based in Belfast FURTHER STUDY Witchcraft and the black arts: Deuteronomy 18:10-11, Leviticus 19:31 Light/darkness: Matthew 6:22-23, Luke 11:33-35, John 1:5, 3:19-21, 12:35-36, Acts 26:18, Romans 13:11-14, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 1:5-7 To combat temptation: Philippians 4:8 (and fear) 1 John 4:18 Christ’s right use of power: Philippians 2: 5-10 Renewal and transformation: Romans 12:2 Jesus dealing with the dark side: Luke 8:26-33, 9:1, 10:17-20, 1 John 4:4 Ways to think of Satan: 1 Peter 5:8,9 James 4:7 Jesus mentions Satan: Mark 4:15, Luke 10:31, 22:31,32 © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.