Everything Halloween/Reformation Day

<Don’t miss our Halloween and Reformation Day songs, teachings, and list of articles below the origins and history.>

The roots of Halloween trace back thousands of years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “SAH-win”). This festival marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred, allowing ghosts to return to earth. During Samhain celebrations, people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off these spirits.  In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints’ Day to honor all saints and martyrs. The evening before this celebration was known as All Hallows’ Eve, which later became known as Halloween. Over time, All Saints’ Day incorporated some of the traditions from the Celtic festival of Samhain.  The holiday as we know it today began to take shape in America with the arrival of Irish immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They brought their traditions, which blended with local customs, and by the 1950s, Halloween had become a widely celebrated, kid-friendly holiday.

History and Origins of Reformation Day

Reformation Day, celebrated on October 31, commemorates the beginning of the Protestant Reformation in 1517. On this day, Martin Luther, a German monk and university professor, is said to have posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. These theses were a list of propositions for an academic debate, directly challenging the Catholic Church’s practice of selling indulgences—payments made to reduce the temporal punishment for sins. Luther was particularly incensed by the aggressive marketing of these indulgences, which were authorized by Pope Leo X to fund projects like the renovation of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Luther argued that salvation was a free gift from God, received through faith alone, and not something that could be purchased. He asserted that the Bible, not the Pope or church tradition, held supreme authority for Christians. While Luther initially intended to spark internal reform, his ideas—amplified by the new technology of the printing press—spread rapidly across Europe. This act ignited a religious and political firestorm that ultimately split Western Christianity and led to the creation of Protestant denominations, fundamentally reshaping the course of European history.

Halloween Related Articles:

• A Different Kind of Halloween
• ***A Trick-or-Treat Test: What Significance is Oct 31, Nov 1, and Nov 2?
• Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
• A Great Christian Song for Halloween
• What is sweeter than Halloween candy?
• Does Satan Have a Stronger Influence on Halloween?
• Your thoughts about “should Christians celebrate Halloween?”
• Halloween Baggage?
• What Should Christians Think and Do About Halloween?
• What Though The Vile Accuser Roar (song video)
• Have Halloween Jack-o-lanterns Become Demonic?
• Word Search Puzzle – Halloween

Reformation Day (October 31st):

• Solas of the Reformation
• A Different Kind of Halloween
• What are the Three Reformation Hymns of Martin Luther?
• A Mighty Fortress is Our God – A Contemporary Rendition
• A Mighty Fortress is Our God – A Traditional Rendition
• What are Martin Luther’s Five Solas of the Reformation?
• What are the Five Solas of the Reformation?
• Halloween? No, Reformation Day!
• Reformation Quiz: Discerning Truth and Error
• What Is All Soul’s Day? (November 2nd)