Christmas??

library_lass

I have always thought that witches and anything wicked could not move about on or after All Saints/Allhallows Day (1 Nov) and so the evening before was their last chance to find a good spot for the coming year - hence the lighted lantern and scary faces to put them off landing in your cosy home on Hallowe'en.

margaretclare

EdInvestor wrote: »

Why not yours? All Saints is definitely on your calendar, Nov 1 and celebrated on the following Sunday.

http://www.gbod.org/worship/2007-2pagercl.pdf

I'd have thought all the Christian churches would recognise it, as it goes back such a long way, though some denominations might emphasis it more than others.

Next Sunday is the Wesley Guild Anniversary, so I doubt very much whether All Saints will get a mention.

St George's Day doesn't get celebrated either so we tend to go to a church which does celebrate him.

I like library_lass's explanation. I don't know whether the teenagers, younger children and their mums who are out now are 'looking for a warm spot for the winter! Most of them are old enough to know to ring a bell, possibly ring again, but not to bang on the door and rattle the letter-box. I ignore them, DH goes and shouts 'go away'.

Margaret

seven-day-weekend

All Saints Day (Dia de los Todos Santos, November 1) is a National Public Holiday here in Spain. This I like.

I'm glad to say Halloween passes by without a mention.

Savvy_Sue

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

All Saints Day (Dia de los Todos Santos, November 1) is a National Public Holiday here in Spain. This I like.

I'm glad to say Halloween passes by without a mention.

Ah, but they have heard of it, because last week I was in Spain and had cause to ask what 'arrope' was, other than a 'traditional' pudding which was as far as the English description of it went. The waiter had some English (heck of a lot more than my Spanish!) and mimed something large and round and said 'Hallowe'en' so I guessed it was pumpkin. I've just googled it, and it seems that the arrope might be more the syrup they preserve small pieces of pumpkin in. Anyway, it was very rich, and very yummy ...

Newly_retired

Several churches round here - both RC and C of E - have special services where people specially remember those who have died in the past year ( or more) around All Souls/ All Saints tide.
One church has tried to reclaim Halloween and got slated for spoiling the childrens' enjoyment, despite putting on loads of fun activities without the emphasis on the witches and trick or treat.
Last year the Bishop of Bolton appealed to supermarkets to have less sinister items on sale and it has been reported that this campaign has worked to some extent.
Last night we either did not answer the door to trick or treaters or just said "No Thank you ". Mischief Night has lapsed a bit round here but both occasions have become times of criminal damage. Makes me quite opposed to all these events - they are either over commercialised or an excuse for crime.

Going back to Christmas (this thread! ), for the 6th year running it looks like I am obliged to entertain MIL for several days, as DH is her only relative. To be fair, we all 3 enjoy the same sort of food, church, same sorts of TV progs on the whole but it does mean I have never had the chance to be with my grandchildren at Christmas ( the oldest is 6). None of our relatives live near enough to pop in for a short time so I have to wait till DH takes his mother home ( a 5 hour drive, so he stays a few days. That means she takes up at least 10 days of his Christmas. Not very fair, but I keep thinking each one will be her last as she is 90.
NB the grandchildren are DH's step grandchildren - I suppose that makes a difference.

seven-day-weekend

Newly_retired wrote: »

Several churches round here - both RC and C of E - have special services where people specially remember those who have died in the past year ( or more) around All Souls/ All Saints tide.
One church has tried to reclaim Halloween and got slated for spoiling the childrens' enjoyment, despite putting on loads of fun activities without the emphasis on the witches and trick or treat.
Last year the Bishop of Bolton appealed to supermarkets to have less sinister items on sale and it has been reported that this campaign has worked to some extent.
Last night we either did not answer the door to trick or treaters or just said "No Thank you ". Mischief Night has lapsed a bit round here but both occasions have become times of criminal damage. Makes me quite opposed to all these events - they are either over commercialised or an excuse for crime.

Going back to Christmas (this thread! ), for the 6th year running it looks like I am obliged to entertain MIL for several days, as DH is her only relative. To be fair, we all 3 enjoy the same sort of food, church, same sorts of TV progs on the whole but it does mean I have never had the chance to be with my grandchildren at Christmas ( the oldest is 6). None of our relatives live near enough to pop in for a short time so I have to wait till DH takes his mother home ( a 5 hour drive, so he stays a few days. That means she takes up at least 10 days of his Christmas. Not very fair, but I keep thinking each one will be her last as she is 90.
NB the grandchildren are DH's step grandchildren - I suppose that makes a difference.

My church in the UK usually puts alternative activities on for the children and they don't feel deprived at all. We never allowed our son to go Trick or Treating when he was young, he never ever mentioned it but just happily did something else. As regards kids knocking on the door, I just used to put a sign out saying 'No Trick or Treat' and then they left us alone.

Newly_retired

The kids had a great time, seven-day-weekend. It was the adults, parents and grandparents, who complained that it wasn't spooky and witches weren't encouraged.

seven-day-weekend

Newly_retired wrote: »

The kids had a great time, seven-day-weekend. It was the adults, parents and grandparents, who complained that it wasn't spooky and witches weren't encouraged.

Yes, I assumed it was adults whinging, that's just par for the course.

Glad the kids had a good time and I hope the church sticks to its guns.

HappyMedium_2

Lets not forget it is a Pagan Holy Day which has been taken over by christains, as are Christmas and Easter. I am proud to be a Pagan.

seven-day-weekend

I am a Christian and I would prefer not to celebrate Christmas/Easter too . I know Jesus was not born on December 25th and I also know Oestrus is a pagan festival to mark the beginning of Spring and the new life that comes with it. This is how eggs and bunnies have got entwined with the death and Resurrection of Christ, what a farce it is really.

However, I would like to celebrate the birth, death and Resurrection of Christ at some time and these are the times that have been chosen and which other Christians use. So I do usually celebrate them, so that I can join in with others of my faith but quite often feel ambivalent about doing so, especially about Christmas.