I remember, when I was growing up, my mom always produced the most creative and spooky “haunted house” at our elementary school’s annual fall festival. Fake smoke sometimes filled the air, and caskets had volunteers being raised at the appropriate time to casually frighten the house visitors. (It was an elementary school, for goodness sake, so it was very tame.)
My dad was legendary for his creepy “mu-ha-ha” laugh, which he did every Halloween. When I was in the sixth grade, his haunting laugh was projected on the loud speaker for all to hear.
I believe my go-to Halloween costume was a witch. My grown children probably think I still am in that costume-witchy-mode at times.
Candy, candy, and more candy was stockpiled that we received from our neighbors. (Yes, back then…we ONLY went to our neighbor’s home, which, BTW, we knew.) I don’t recollect anyone skimping on the good sugary sweets either. (I think I’m craving chocolate as I type this.)
My older brothers would occasionally opt for tricking the passersby instead of receiving or giving treats. You know, the ole tie the fishing line to a purse trick, wait for a car to stop to retrieve it, and then slowly pull it off the side of the road prank? Yep, that was an often-repeated prank. (We lived out in the country. The roads weren’t too busy.)
The older I got, the crazier and scarier Halloween became. There’s some wacked-out-for-Halloween-peeps out there. Having people grab me or chase me with a chainsaw, isn’t for me.
Something else that (or someone who) isn’t for me…the scariest deceiver of all…Satan!
I may have dressed up like a witch when I was young, but Satan is the ultimate witch/vamp/enchanter/sorcerer. He has been known for his various disguises: angel of light, a serpent, a dragon, and a sheep…just to name a few.
However your feel about this time of year…I prefer to enjoy the fall weather, football, bonfires, and pumpkins…whether you participated in Trick-or-Treating as a kid or not…I think I turned out just fine, just beware of the one in costume who comes to steal, kill, and destroy…the devil.
He is real. He is scary. He has already been defeated! He was defeated when Jesus died for us on the cross. Hallelujah!
Be safe. Be kind. Be Christ’s.
Many blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14
The serpent said to the woman… (The serpent was Satan.) Genesis 3:4
But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3
And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Revelation 12:9
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10