Monday 31 October 2011

Souling light



Tonight is All Hallows' Eve, and the neighbourhood children have been out and about for their Trick-or-Treat.


Right by our front door we have a green slate slab that Hebe has cut with these words from Philippians 4:
Finally, my family, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.






Just under these words we put out the pumpkin lanterns we had made, each with a shining cross.






Every child who came to our door was met by Fiona's loving-kindness that has a way of making a person feel special - and a handful of sweets  to take away!


We hope that what we celebrated tonight was not ghoulies and ghosties but the example of Jesus in welcoming the little children when they come in hope and expectation; and we remembered His words of rebuke to His disciples who, in the in interest of earnest righteousness, thought it proper to turn the children away.



19 comments:

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Wonderful...balanced and truth...this is great! Blessings tonight and always

Pen Wilcock said...

:0) Hi Janette! Waving!

Gerry Snape said...

Absolutely lovely for tonight. Thankyou!

Ganeida said...

This is one celebration I just can't come at any which way ~ but then those who tend to celebrate out here are not the little children but older teens & their tricks are downright illegal! This year it seemed to have died a natural death for want of houses prepared to hand out candy ~ for which I am heartily grateful!

Trish said...

That's a fabulous idea!
We don't celebrate 'Halloween' in Australia.
It's regarded as an American thing by most aussies..but lately the ghoulish and satanic paraphanalia has been makng more headway into the shops and therefore people are 'buying' into it.
It's a pity that nice liturgical feast days are tainted with so much rubbish!
The last pumpkin photo is wonderful!
Your daughter is clever..and kind.
blessings..Trish

Nell said...

I never really know how to react to trick or treaters, I love the idea of your verse and pumpkins with crosses.
I never like encouraging them with their ghosts and ghoulies often thinking of the verse you mentioned and not wanting to give glory to the darker side. At the same time I also agree with you about not wanting to turn away the little children I think I need to pay this more attention and time in prayer trying to seek out a solution that I too can live with. I also need to research the topic more so that I can help my own younger children understand, when they feel they are missing out because we don't celebrate this event, and the neighbours do..
Thank you for making me think more about this topic.
Blessings to you Nell.

Pen Wilcock said...

Hi ladies! :0)

Each year we try to think of something that will welcome the children while affirming life and soul health rather than death and decay and fear. In the past we have made up little bags with sweets and button badges and stickers saying things like 'Jesus loves me' and 'God loves me', or including short and simple home made tracts with manga cartoons - just one small page, 2 frames, showing a child receiving advice from a super-hero reminding him/her that if ever s/he feels afraid s/he can call out to Jesus whose Name is our refuge and the most powerful thing in the universe.

Julie B. said...

What all of you did was lovely. The carvings were exceptional, but with a stonecutter in the family, why wouldn't they be? :D

This year we turned out the lights. I felt bad about that, but it was what we had to do.

God bless you all for welcoming children....

Pen Wilcock said...

Like you, Julie, if I cannot make myself available, I turn out the lights and am 'out'. I don't like to turn the children away or say anything unkind to them. x

Donna said...

Thankfully, in this area, the vandalism that I remember being done in the name of 'Trick or Treat' seems to have died out, as parents now accompany their children. I'm still not really sure how I feel about this practice, though.

Regarding Halloween (or whatever you wish to call this widely observed time of year), I like how the Mexicans do it with their Day of The Dead. I think it is healthy to have a time to remember those who have crossed over, the dying end of the year is an appropriate time to do it, and it doesn't need to have all the tacky excuses for commercialism and horror.

I'm less familiar with the Christian traditions of All Hallows Eve (Google, here I come), but no doubt they have some deeper significance that should be focused on, rather than paying attention to the unpleasant habits of the many (much the same as Christmas, I feel). And I love the pumpkins! Beautiful!

Pen Wilcock said...

:0) Hi Donna! Waving!

BLD in MT said...

That is a wonderful way to celebrate! I may have to make my own take on it next year! Great job on the jack-o-lanterns too!

Pen Wilcock said...

:0)

Tony Collins said...

Fantastic lanterns!

I was pleased to welcome some littl'uns to the door in Aylesbury, and feed them Scary Cake. I used to be quite hostile to Hallowe'en on religious grounds, and because of the eggs that pelted my door, but things seem calmer down now: and the kids put such effort into their costumes it is a shame not to admire it.

And my colleagues enjoyed the remaining Scary Cake!

Badger

Pen Wilcock said...

Hi, that Badger(he does live here, folks, but only at weekends!); waving! See you tonight x

Alice Y. said...

Think you might like a Quaker pastor's view on Halloween, here: http://sillypoorgospel.blogspot.com/2011/10/christian-view-of-halloween-repeat.html
God bless!

Pen Wilcock said...

Splendid. Just splendid. Have added her blog to the long list of excellent places to loiter and be inspired, in the sidepane. Thanks, Alice! I have a feeling we shall meet, some day :0)

BLD in MT said...

I like the link a lot, too. Thanks for sharing it, Alice. I think I shall send it to a woman I know who has been getting some flack from her church about her children's involvement in Halloween. I also sent her your post, Ember.

Pen Wilcock said...

:0)