Since we’ve had kids, we’ve had to make a lot of decisions. Who should be their doctor, teacher, babysitter. What books they should read and movies they can see. What food to let them eat or make them eat. How and where to celebrate holidays.
One of those holidays is Halloween.
For the last few years we had decided to stay home and not participate. We are christians and Halloween celebrates things we as christians are told to avoid. We know that evil, witches, and the devil are real and though many people that celebrate this holiday don’t necessarily “celebrate” evil we decided not to participate. Who needs that much candy anyway.
This year we are changing things. Jonathan said we should do something this Halloween. This is one of the few holidays that all the neighbors are out seeing each other face to face. Rather than hide out, we are going to get out there with them.
At first I was a little skeptical. We had been hiding out these last few years, even avoiding the church harvest festivals. Now we are going in head first?
The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Wasn’t it Jesus who went head first too? Eating with tax collecters and sinners, talking with an adulteress. He was the light in the darkness.
He defeated evil and now I am hiding in my house because of it? That doesn’t make sense. It makes sense for me to get out and be the light, because He defeated evil.
Our plan is to bring out the chiminea for people to warm up by and some hot drinks to share. We are going to give out a whole lot of candy. We are going to show love, smiles, and engage whoever God brings to us.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. -I Corinthians 10:31
Here’s a couple more links you might want to check out:
Sent Into the Harvest: What if We Approached Halloween as Christians on a Mission?
Average Housewife 
Halloween with the right perspective. Let God be glorified! Great post thank you for sharing.
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Sounds great! Jen is heading up the team for our church’s 1st Harvest Party. We’ve talked about Halloween and we participate. Reason being, for the girls, Halloween means dressing up and candy; that’s it. They don’t know any of the other stuff. And it is a great way to meet people.
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Thanks for the encouragement!
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We always celebrate Halloween with candy and costumes. 🙂
I’ve never had a problem with Christians observing this holiday, probably because I was raised Catholic, and it’s actually an important Catholic feast.
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I think that is a good choice. When the kids we used to have were smaller we would get the grill out, serve hot dogs, cider and pumpkin bars and of course candy. We would start about 5 or 5:30. Put out some chairs and maybe a little heater. The adults would hang out before the great hibernation began. It became expected and neighbors would bring bars and chips to share. We don’t do it any more, but have talked about doing it again.
Have fun
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Dan, That sounds great! Your welcome to come join us.
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I think you have an understanding of the line between interacting with the world and being “of” it. Our family also hands out candy to trick-or-treaters (though we don’t seem to get many since our neighborhood has “aged”). For years I also put the candy in bags with tracts that are especially designed to be given out to trick-or-treaters (sold by the American Bible Society – very professional-looking and eye-pleasing as well as having a great message).
I like your idea of getting out and socializing with the neighbors without involving yourself in the occultic connections Halloween possesses. In other words, you’re not dressing up and doing what everyone else is doing, but you’re still engaged. Great idea!
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Thanks, Anne!
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How did I miss this post, last year? I love the hot drink idea. What a great way to love AND ensure that they stop at your house!
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Probably because it’s actually from two years ago. 🙂
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