Who's In Charge of Halloween?

In preparation for Halloween, one of my kids invited a friend to come over and go trick-or-treating with him in our neighborhood. However, the invitation was declined. The friend’s parents, out of genuine love for their child, shared that they believed demons come close to earth this night and the spiritual dangers were simply too great.

I understand the concern, and I share the desire to protect our children from evil.

For instance, one house in our neighborhood has decorated their front yard with such a dense collection of skulls that I look away whenever I drive by their home. I’m not sure they wanted to creep me out, but what exactly am I supposed to think about when I see dozens of lifelike human remains scattered across someone's front lawn?

There's a certain creepiness and horror to Halloween that reminds us that spiritual malevolence lurks in places we'd rather not look.

It's understandable that God-fearing Christians want to avoid spiritual evil. The Apostle Peter tells us to resist the devil, knowing that he "prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour" (1 Peter 5:8-9). Spiritual warfare is real, and it's risky to pretend otherwise.

Still, in my experience, Halloween is the most neighborly, hospitable, and generous holiday of the year. For instance, my neighbor and I are planning to distribute what we hope is a life-changing amount of candy to the kids who come to our houses. I've already got my cringy pumpkin onesie costume ready to go.

All month long, nearly everyone in our neighborhood participates in a long-running tradition of "ghosting" each other's houses. We surprise one another by placing goodies at someone else's front door, ringing the doorbell, and running away.

Halloween reminds us of spiritual darkness, but isn't it also an opportunity to enjoy time with our neighbors?

Every year, I ask myself, "Who is in charge of Halloween?"

Perhaps the honest answer is candy manufacturers, who win whether we give candy away from our homes or at trunk-or-treats in church parking lots.

But looking more deeply, I remind myself that Jesus came into the world when it was dark.

As John tells us, "In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it" (John 1:4-5).

Jesus didn't wait for Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, to be born. He didn't come to a brightly lit Temple, but more likely was born in a poorly lit, rather odorous stable.

Rather, the announcement of his birth led his parents to flee the country for Egypt, and King Herod to massacre all the young boys in and around Bethlehem (Matthew 2:13-18). The Scriptures are unflinchingly realistic in their depiction of evil. The desecrated bodies of little children—not plastic lawn decorations—bloodied the earth.

Yet Matthew tells us that when Jesus began his ministry, he fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy, "The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned" (Matthew 4:16).

Into a spiritually dark world, Jesus personally arrived to announce good news: "Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 4:17).

He didn't hide from the darkness, but overcame it with the light of his presence. He didn't avoid the demon-possessed; he cast the demons out. He didn't walk to the other side of the road to avoid the lepers; he touched them and healed them.

We all have different breaking points, but I think most people will admit there are some kinds of terrifying evil at work in the world. We can fear it, or we can trust that God "has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" (Colossians 1:13). When we feel secure in God's kingdom, we're free to imitate Jesus and bring light to the darkness.

At the same time, I respect that we each need to do so in a way that feels right to us. For a cultural holiday like Halloween, it's important that we honor our conscience (Romans 14). There's no "right" way to participate, and hopefully, brothers and sisters in Christ can respect each other for making different choices.

As I meditate on how Jesus brought life and light to the darkness, it inspires me to consider how Halloween is an opportunity to love my neighbors. It's the only night of the year when neighbors will walk up my driveway, knock on the front door, and rightly expect to immediately receive a gift.

It's a beautiful, simple opportunity to demonstrate the love of God, ridiculous generosity, and perhaps our willingness to wear a pumpkin onesie.

Want to explore this with your friends? Here are some questions to discuss how you might be a blessing in your neighborhood, apartment complex, or dorm this Halloween.

ASK:

• What was your experience of Halloween like growing up? What made it feel safe/unsafe, fun/scary, or meaningful/meaningless?

• When you think about Halloween in your community, what opportunities do you see for connection? What concerns come up for you?

DISCUSS:

Read John 1:1-18.

1. John writes that "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." When have you experienced Jesus's light breaking into a dark situation?

2. How does Jesus's example of entering into darkness (rather than avoiding it) challenge or encourage you as you think about Halloween?

3. John the Baptist's role was to point people toward the light. Who in your life has helped you see Jesus more clearly when life felt dark?

4. Share a story of experiencing Jesus turning your fear into an opportunity to love.

Read Romans 14.

1. Share a story of a time when you saw friends honor each other's different convictions while still loving their community together.

2. How can you honor each other's approaches to Halloween while still sharing a common commitment to loving your neighbors?

DO:

1. Take turns sharing about one specific person, family, or group in your neighborhood you're praying will experience tangible love this Halloween. Why did they come to mind?

2. This Week's Practice: Choose one way to be intentionally generous and present in your community on Halloween:

1. Hand out generous amounts of candy at your door 

2. Host a neighborhood gathering

3. Participate in a trunk-or-treat at church

4. Deliver treats to neighbors who can't participate

5. Another option that reflects your creativity and context

3. On Halloween, text each other and ask, “What was the most meaningful connection you made tonight?”

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Credit: Photo from Skyler Sawyer on Unsplash