Nicole’s e-Pistle
October 29, 2025
Greetings, Friends!
The history teacher in me is cringing a little, as I have done something I would rarely have allowed in my classroom – I used AI technology to help me write a portion of today’s e-Pistle! (I know – scandalous!) I was home with the kids on doctor’s orders on Monday and Tuesday while they recovered from Flu A. I took everything home with me Sunday afternoon to get my work done, but the days turned into mostly fixing meals they could stand eating and watching movies on the couch in our pajamas together. I got a little work done yesterday afternoon, but not enough to include today’s e-Pistle, so please enjoy…
*********************************************************************************************************
A Brief History of Halloween (As written by Chat GPT)
Halloween, observed on October 31, has deep historical roots that stretch back more than two thousand years. Its earliest origins lie in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”), which marked the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead grew thin, and they lit bonfires to ward off wandering spirits.
When Christianity spread through Europe, the Church sought to offer a faithful alternative to pagan customs. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints’ Day—a time to honor all saints and martyrs. The evening before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which, over time, was shortened to “Halloween.”
As the tradition crossed to America, it blended with various cultural influences—European harvest festivals, immigrant folk customs, and American creativity. The focus gradually shifted from superstition to community celebration, with costumes, treats, and family-friendly fun.
For Christians today, Halloween can serve as a reminder of the triumph of light over darkness. While some choose to avoid its secular trappings, others use the season to share the love of Christ through hospitality, church “harvest festivals,” and acts of kindness toward neighbors. However it’s observed, remembering the day’s roots helps us keep our eyes on the greater truth: that in Christ, life conquers death, and light shines in the darkness.
*********************************************************************************************************
Hello, friends – me again! It is no secret that many of the holiday traditions we enjoy have roots in pagan festivals and rituals. I’ll share some Christmas traditions with you in December that I researched all by myself before AI became a thing. I hope you will all be able to find some time to enjoy the season this weekend, whether you take your own children Trick-Or-Treating, turn on your porch lights inviting other children to venture to your door for a treat, or visit with friends and family, sipping on your favorite fall beverage.
Thanksgiving and the Season of Advent are less than a month away, with Christmas following quickly behind, and before we know it, we’ll be celebrating the dawn of a new year. Before we get swept away with the holiday season, let us take some time to relax and enjoy the cool, but not yet frigid, weather, watch the leaves as they morph into a cornucopia of color, and thank God for the Light that shines in this world, giving us hope during trying times.
Blessings and Peace,
