Reclaim Christmas by looking to Halloween

Halloween By the Numbers. (2013). The History Channel website. Retrieved 10:50, October 31, 2013, from http://www.history.com/interactives/halloween-by-the-numbers.

Pope Gregory III declared that November 1 as "All Hallows Day" in the Church calendar. As such, the night before, October 31st, becomes "All Hallows Eve". Just like we make a big deal about Christmas Eve, so too the Church made a big deal about All Hallows Eve. 

The Church created Halloween. It is a celebration of those who have died and a preparation of the All Hallows Mass that is the next day. 

Over time Halloween is co-opted by secular motivations and now we have a sugar driven market "holiday"  that is as far removed from the reverence of All Hallows Eve. 

Halloween, in this respect, is just like Christmas. The Church no longer has the claim on Christmas. It is now removed from the Church in such a way that our economy actually depends on the commerce of Christmas - beginning in November.   

For as far as Halloween as drifted from the Church calendar, the Church seems to be making steps to reclaim Halloween via Trunk or Treat.  

I know moving to the church parking is does not change the "idolatry of sugar" and trunk or treat looks, on the surface, just a more efficient way to get candy. What I want o highlight is that the Church is impacting culture in a way and at a scale that the Church used to do with greater frequency. 

When the Church is responsible for changing customs, traditions and habits (even in the practice of Halloween) then the Church is reclaiming its role as a culture maker. 

For all the condemning of the consumerism of Christmas. For all the critiques to "put the Christ back in Christmas". These actions have little effect on the practice of Christmas. If we want to change the way we practice Christmas, then we need to create a new way to practice Christmas. 

If we really want to be sure we all remember "the reason for the season". Don't change your profile picture.  

Instead take a page from Halloween and change the way you practice Christmas.  

Jesus is not talking about taxes

Should we pay them, or should we not?’ But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, ‘Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.’ And they brought one. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were utterly amazed at him.

Mark 12:15-17

When we look at this story it is often the case that we like the crowd become amazed at Jesus' ability to avoid being trapped by the two camps. He finds a way to navigate between the laws of the Emperor and the laws of Moses.

Not bad Jesus. Not bad at all.  

However, our attention to the answer distracts us from the teaching that comes in the question Jesus asks.  

You see when he asks whose image is on the coin it should, for those with ears to hear, should trigger for them another story. Namely the story of Genesis 1 when God creates male and female in God's image.  

When Jesus asks whose image is on the coin, it should trigger in us that if the image on the coin dictates who "owns" that coin then the image that impressed on humanity should dictate who "owns" humanity. We all belong to God. We are not created in our own image nor of our own doing. We are all God's icon bearers and we all owe our lives to the creator.  

Jesus is not saying that there is some money that belongs to the Emperor (taxes) and some money that belongs to God (tithe). 

Jesus is saying that if we understand whose image we have impressed on us then questions about paying taxes or who is our neighbor or how should we pray become much less perplexing. 

The "Be the Change Reader" coming in November...

Some time ago I backed a project on Kickstarter called "The People's E-book".  As a backer I was given permission into the Beta of the tool. 

If you want in on the beta it looks like anyone can get on the list.  

Anyway, I say this to say that over the past few days I have been working on cultivating and curating an e-book with this tool.

I plan on distributing this e-book exclusively to all subscribers of this blog after Thanksgiving 2013. 

This is not your New York Times bestseller book we are talking about here. More of a sampling of posts you may or may not have already read. This "Be the Change Reader" is a chance to share with your friends and family a little publication that looks good on your ipad, kindle, nook and any other e-reader you have (I hope to also make it available to those who just want a PDF version)

It is my way of saying thank you to those who take time to read "Be the Change".  

So if you would like to get a free "Be the Change Reader" be sure to subscribe by Thanksgiving. 

Your email is not shared with anyone, and is only used to share these posts directly to your inbox so you don't ever have to go out of your way to see these posts. 

Even if you don't subscribe, I hope you take a moment and check out and fund a Kickstarter project or thank the creators of The People's E-book.