Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this feature and took the photos.
Few events of today carry a consistent message over the ages. Halloween, however, has a distinct identification. It has changed very little, if any, from its initial intent over several centuries past. Wikipedia can be quoted: “Irish and Scottish migrants brought many Halloween customs to North America in the 19th century, and then through American influence, Halloween spread to other countries, by the late 20th and early 21st century.”
The one consistency related to Halloween is that is has always been a celebration on October 31, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. Originating around a religious celebration, many believe the event received notice in the Bible where it is written, “And give no opportunity to the devil. Be sober-minded; be watchful….Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”
What is the true meaning of Halloween?
“Hallow”–or holy person–refers to the saints celebrated on All Saints’ Day, which is November 1. So basically, Halloween is just an old-fashioned way of saying “the night before All Saints’ Day,” also called Hallowmas or All Hallows’ Day.
Why is Halloween scary?
Halloween is inspired by the night before, which was known as All Hallows’ Eve. It was said that the line between our world and the afterlife was especially thin around All Hallows’ Eve. This is why Halloween has the spooky, ghostly atmosphere we know and love today.
Halloween in Morrison, IL, was celebrated on Saturday, October 30. Streets and walkways reflected the “spooky” feeling that may have been present in the ancient All Saints’ Day. Behind the masks were faces with smiles caused by the fact that they had hidden their identity and received a tasteful treat for their efforts.
Pleasant weather welcomed goblins, ghosts and critters of all ages, shapes, and sizes to neighborhood streets and to Emmanuel Reformed Church parking lot, as the following pics record.
