Halloween is usually cause for great debate among Christians. Should Christians celebrate Halloween? What are the best alternatives? I am quite disturbed by many of the morbid and dark decorations and costumes that appear in stores because of Halloween, but this time of year can also be a great time to love on the people in our communities. Instead of completely hiding from this darkness, we can find ways to shine the light of Jesus during this time!
I love to start with my own children. The jack-o-lantern is a traditional symbol of Halloween, but it can be a great object lesson about God’s transforming love! The Pumpkin Patch Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs is great picture book that tells the story of a farmer who takes a simple pumpkin and turns it into a beautiful sight, shining from within.
If you are spending the night at home on Halloween consider glow sticks with a favorite Bible verse about God’s love attached to them! You could even sit in your driveway to hand out these glow sticks in order to meet more people from the neighborhood!
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. – Isaiah 42:16
Every year, our church puts on a community outreach event on Halloween called Trunk or Treat. It takes place in a parking lot with many cars decorating their trunks and filling them with candy! It is a great, safe place for neighborhood kids to get candy, play games, jump in a bounce house, and lots more. I think this is one of the best ways to show the love of Jesus to others during Halloween!
My kids love to dress up in fun costumes – they will be the superheroes Iron Man and the Hulk this year – but they also know there are a lot of darkness and evil associated with the Halloween holiday. We’re doing what we can to bring the light of Jesus to those around us this Halloween!
Your Turn
Celebrating Halloween as a Christian can cause quite a stir, no doubt. So I’m curious, how can you bring some light to your community this Halloween?
