I've never really been interested in horror movies and wouldn't spend my money on them.  I know zombies and vampires are more popular than ever, but they just seem strange and boring to me.  Halloween was never that interesting to me,  either ... UNTIL ...  I got appointed to Anoka and Ramsey.  You kind of have to embrace it if your'e going to live or work here. 

There is a huge parade that takes over this town.  I didn't know what to expect when I first went.  First of all, there are tens of thousands of people.  Secondly, you actually see very few evil characters of any kind.  It's just a big old family event.  People are just out to have a good time, and I can appreciate that.  We'll be out there rain or shine (or possible snow!) with our float and the Northern Light Band.

Halloween has Celtic roots.  They had a festival, called Samhain, which means "summer's end."  It was basically a fall festival where the farmers would celebrate getting all of the crops in before the cold winter. 

Once Christianity became the dominant religion of Europe, thought, the ancient festival took on a Christian flavor.  Some in the early church believed the souls of the dead wandered around the earth until All Saints Day. (November 1)  All Hallows Eve was the last chance for angry ghosts to gain vengeance on their enemies.  So what did Christians do?  They put on masks and costumes to disguise themselves.

I think I might actually prefer the Celtic viewpoint.  The transition from summer to winter is a transition from life to death.  Its a reminder that we are mortal.  "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust."  Lest we FEAR our mortality, let us embrace the idea that through all of our transitions: God is with us.  None of us is God.  None of us is immortal.  We have a limited time on earth as "creatures" of flesh and bone.  It's alright to have a little fund this time of year.  But let's not get too carried away.  There's a bigger picture.