I Wonder...

           Although Halloween is safely behind us for another year, I find myself still intrigued by the amount of coverage this event accrued on my social network news feed.  It happens every year. There are lengthy diatribes on why folks do not participate and lists of comments from individuals either assenting or dissenting.  The participants and non-participants lob pithy, condescending remarks at one another in an effort to prove their point.  No one earns a concession.  And I'm more than happy to leave that decision between you and God.   The barrage of coverage does, however, cause a lot of wondering on my part.

            Personally, I have no strong feeling one way or another concerning Halloween.  I think it is a silly, commercialized event that sparks a lot of conflict, but serves no real purpose on the calendar.  Any day can be deemed Christian or pagan, followers of any belief system can and do perform rituals or hold services whenever they want, children like to play dress up all through the year, and I find that I actually buy more individually wrapped candies throughout the year than I buy on Halloween.  Thus, I wonder why Halloween gets so much attention when holidays with much more value are coming up and will receive less or less appropriate coverage. 

            Thanksgiving is currently less than a month away.  Many are already planning their feasts, football games, and family time.  My news feed will then be full of photos depicting families, tables overflowing with food, and complaints of having eaten too much.  Some will express their gratitude for God, possessions, and family.  Then they will go on about their food, fun, and fellowship without a thought that there are two parts to the word “Thanksgiving”…thanks and giving.  I wonder if I’ll see any diatribes on giving to the needy during the month of November.  I wonder if, after reading Psalm 100, anyone will read I John 3:17 where it says that the love of God is not in that person who has this world’s goods yet turns a blind eye to someone in need.  I wonder.

            Christmas is less than two months away.  In truth, there is not a worse holiday for commercialism and material gluttony. Those who eschew Halloween often make up for it at Christmas.  Beautifully decorated Christmas trees are hidden by mounds of brightly wrapped packages loudly demonstrating extravagant excess.  I wonder if, when Luke 2 has been read (if it is at all) and the children are ready to dive into the gifts, someone will pause to remind them of the words of Jesus saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35 KJV)  I wonder.

            Lest you think that I am hypocritically throwing around opinions, blame or self appreciation, let me clear things up.  I know what it is to truly need. I have experienced the anxiety that comes with legitimately wondering if there will be enough money to get through the month.  I have had to rely on the charity of others.  God has never failed me.  He has always provided.  In return, we give back.  Every year at this time, we do a family project where we buy and donate food to a charity or food bank, or buy items to make blessing bags for the homeless. We donate to food drives as often as possible and this year we donated jackets to my daughter’s school for children who didn’t have them.  Sometimes it isn’t financially convenient to make these donations.  We do it anyway.  And God keeps providing.

            I said all that, not to toot my own horn, but to say this…Don’t let Halloween be the most discussed holiday this year.  Don’t forget the “giving” part of Thanksgiving.  Don’t make people go hungry because you had to have a pile of “wants” under your Christmas tree.  If you have never experienced need, learn the difference between “want” and “need”.  Remember, that somewhere in your town, children are not eating turkey on Thanksgiving or opening piles of presents on Christmas.  As you pose for your Christmas photo, remember that there is a little girl a few blocks over that doesn’t have a Christmas dress, but is wearing too big jeans and a ratty shirt.  Acknowledge in your heart that a little boy somewhere is playing with sticks because he doesn’t have real toys.  These aren’t scenes from the past.  They are real.  They are true.  They are happening near you. I wonder if you've noticed.

            I wonder if you realize that you can help.  If every Christian would donate a couple bags of food, a turkey, a coat, a dress, a pair of shoes, a toy, or a book, we could alleviate some of the need.  If every Christian would follow I John 3:8 and “…not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth,” (KJV) Thanksgiving and Christmas would be the most talked about holidays of the year.  If every Christian would only remember that to whom much is given, much will most assuredly be required…(Luke 12:48)…I wonder what would happen.