1998년 10월 14일(수) 흐림 - Halloween
지난 월요일날 **이 복음송 tape을 사러 기독교서점에 갔다가 Halloween에 관한 프린트물을 가져오다. 미국 사람들이 무슨 명절처럼 지내니까 덩달아서 따라하는 기독교인들이 있는데 Halloween Day의 유래와 의미를 제대로 알고 경계해야 할 것이다.
Dear Friend,
Do you know the real significance and origin of Halloween? On November 1, some people do honor and worship "saints". All Hallow's Eve (Halloween), October 31, had its origins and today continues its tradition from the mystical, magical and superstitious - the evil. The spirit world is real and there truly are spirits of good as well as spirits of evil.
It comes as quite a surprise to discover that this celebration predates the Christian Church by several centuries. It goes back to a practice of the ancient Druids in Britain, France, Germany and the Celtic countries who lived hundreds of years before Christ was born. This celebration honored their deity, Samhain, Load of the dead. Samhain called together all the wicked souls who had died within the year and had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals. The date for this celebration was the last day of October, the eve of the Celtic New Year. It was a time of falling leaves and seasonal decay and seemed appropriate to celebrate death. That is what it was, a celebration of death. It honored the god of the Dead and the wicked spirits of the dead. The Druids believed that on this particular night, the souls of the dead returned to their former homes to be entertained by the living. If acceptable food and shelter were not provided, these evil spirits would cast spells, cause havoc and terror, haunt and torment the living. They demanded to be appeased. Look closely! Here is the beginning of "trick or treat"! Evil spirits demanding a "treat". If they didn't get it, you got a "trick".
Jack-o-Lanterns are a symbol of a Godless superstition. A man named Jack was unable to enter Heaven because of his miserliness. He could not enter Hell because he played practical jokes on Satan. So he had to walk the earth with his lantern until Judgement Day. The black cats of Halloween were thought to be human beings who were changed as a punishment for evil.
I would encourage you to replace "trick or treat" with something more edifying and worthwhile for your children.
Plan a family evening, such as a night out at the movies, or go roller skating or miniature golfing. There are any number of activities that would be fun for the whole family.
Many churches and private schools in the area are planning alternative activities. Call them and find out what they are planning.
Our country claims to be Christian, but celebrating Halloween is not consistent with this statement. By observing Halloween, we are actually letting Satan have a free day to do as he pleases. Let's lift up the Lord Jesus Christ this Halloween instead of Satan, and show others that we truly are Christians.
I hope this letter has opened your eyes to the real evil of this holiday. Thank you for reading, and acting upon this letter. A concerned neighbor.
오후에 이**교수와 함께 병원에 가다. 한국인에게는 Deductible을 안 받기 때문에 소개를 했는데 기왕에 시간을 투자해서 병원에 다니는 것이니까 차도가 많이 있기를 바란다.
밤에 조성철집사님 집으로 Cell Church 식구들이 모이다. 오집사님이 허리가 아팠을 때 부황을 뜨고 대침을 맞고 나았다고, 그것을 배우고 사 온 것이 있었는데, 조집사님이 허리가 아파서 최근에 부황을 떴더니 괜찮아졌다고 다시 뜨는 김이 Cell Church 식구들이 모두 모여 각자 아픈 부위에 부황을 뜨다. 유재문집사님 부부와 우리 부부와 조집사님 부부, 오집사님이 모여 부황도 뜨고 음식도 함께 나누다.
밤중에 이성원 권사님의 전화를 받다. 정부에서 보내주는 것으로 2년간 미국에 올 수 있다고 입학을 알아봐 달라고. Irvine으로 오라고 적극 추천하다.