Hallowed Means

Hallowed means ... not Halloween!

As we approach "Halloween," which I do not condone or celebrate, I find it strange that the word is so similar to another word we know and use: hallowed.

I do understand that it's fun for the kids to dress up and get candy on Halloween. I used to enjoy it, too, and so did my kids. However, I didn’t understand the meaning behind it at the time.

The definition of Halloween is the night of October 31, when people dress in disguises, go trick-or-treating, and display lit, carved pumpkins. Many also display cobwebs, spiders, monsters, witches, and goblins. Why? Because most people, I’ve found, think nothing of it.

Yet, Halloween originates in paganism and everything that is unholy. Most of the decorations and costumes are evil and scary.

Personally, I dislike going into the local stores to see and hear witches and monsters with sensors in them causing them to scream or make unpleasant sounds as I walk by them.

In the world today, with school shootings, mass killings, and threats of death all around, we can only be safe in our salvation. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

Now, think about the word "Hallowed," which is close in sound and spelling to Halloween, and yet it is a word used in the Lord's prayer.

Hallowed means to be honored as holy, to make holy or be sanctified, to be blessed and greatly revered and respected.

When we say "hallowed be thy name" in the Lord’s prayer, we are showing honor and respect to God's name. We are showing holy respect and blessing to God. Let's be mindful of the word as we pray the Lord's prayer, and do not ever confuse it with the word so close in spelling and sound.

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 1:1)

“And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” (Luke 1:2-4)

Also note that when God created the Sabbath day, the seventh day, He also hallowed it. He blessed the day, making it holy to be respected and to honor Him.

“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:11)

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)

Copyright © 2018 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) with permission. All scriptures are set with italics added (my emphasis).