all hallows' eve and all saints' day

listening to focus on the family this morning at 91.5 ... with two christian women discussing the history of halloween...

halloween is originally a christian holiday to celebrate the martyrdom of early christians who were tortured and killed by the roman government.

hallows' eve, october 31st, was in preparation for the celebration of all saints' day, november 1st, with meditation upon the sacrifice and bravery of early christian martyrs who refused to recant or deny their lord and savior, christ...

the tricks or treats aspect of halloween was later developed as a substitute for mischief day when pranksters would burn wagons and small buildings at night... the community decided that if more people were out on that evening, pranksters would be unable to loot and destroy unseen... at the same time, the community offered treats to those who did not perform pranks or tricks on the public... therefore, halloween became a trick or treat night...

these two christian women have written a book on reclaiming this christian holiday... i am sure that more information can be found on the internet... probably by searching for focus on the family... and looking for an appropriate link...