Children look forward to Halloween for a number of reasons. They can’t wait to gather all that candy, and they know that soon after
Halloween is
Thanksgiving and then
Christmas. It’s no wonder children like the last three months of the year –
there’s food, food and more food as well as getting out of school. You may want to teach your kids about
All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day so they know the basis for the holiday.
Depending upon your frame of reference, All Hallows' Eve is either a Christian or a pagan holiday. Wiccans,
or modern day witches, claim the day is associated with pagan celebrations. Catholics and Episcopalians, however, say October 31 is a time to celebrate the saints of old so it is also the eve of the Feast of All Saints. This holy time has been commemorated for centuries.
According to some people, All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day is an acknowledgment of the pain and suffering associated with death. It is also thought that modern Halloween is a way to try to deny the reality of death and anything evil in the world by making fun of it. Rather than concentrating on Christian ideals in a solemn way, they would rather make the evening all about something less serious.