Redeeming Halloween

To trick or to treat - the age old question around Halloween right? NO... if like me you grew up in the the church you probably have heard "Halloween is the devils night, and thou shalt have nothing to do with it".  So the question really is " to trick or treat" or "to hid in the basement with the lights out hoping no one will knock on my door asking for candy".

I have heard all the historical facts or fiction of Halloween,  it's symbolism, and many a story of what people used to do on Halloween.  I have read the tracts, the warnings and the scary tales of demonic prowess that seem to prevail in halloween'ology.  The fact remains that Halloween is still a  huge tension for many christians.   With a past so dark and devilish as it is for Halloween, it would seem that associating with such ghosts and ghouls may actually turn you into one. Right?

Here's my take on Halloween!  Sure... it has some icky roots! Sure, there are many a people out there who choose to do odd, horrible or strange things in the name of Halloween, and sure, there are many scary costumes, ideas and images that prevail.  My question is, why is hiding the right answer to this?  As carriers of the Holy Spirit - WHO is GOD - WHO might I add, is bigger than anything the devil himself could even conjure on Halloween Night - shouldn't we be out there being light instead of hiding?

Now before I go any further - I am NOT for going out and telling everyone on Halloween they are going to the very hell they are dressing up as if they don't accept Jesus! I am NOT for handing out tracks instead of candy and I am not for preaching on Halloween, to be truthful, I'm not even for doing an alternative harvest party.  So what does being light look like if I can't hand out tracks you ask? Great question!

My hang ups with aggressive outreach to the hellbent attendees of Halloween is that we haven't earned the right to be heard in their lives - so we appear, well - crazy to them.  What is our truth to them when we won't give them the time of day any other day of the year? Tracks, have been effective randomly - but again, how much harder is it for them if they have no one to answer their questions, or show them what true love looks like? It is arms length evangelism that is ineffective, maybe even damaging and serves more to make us feel holy, then help people actually encounter the true love and grace of Jesus.  Has God used these means before - of course - even Paul said that if Jesus was being preached by "whatever means", it was a good thing. Doesn't mean it's best!

In a nutshell, to redeem Halloween, I think we need to do the following:
1) Stop fearing Halloween - OUR GOD IS BIGGER
2) Stop making those who participate in Halloween our ENEMY - Instead, why not join them, get to know them,  offer to have them over to your place for dinner and invest relationship! Why not show them what true love and acceptance look like?
3) Find ways to let your light shine -without ever once mentioning Jesus, their destiny in Hell or some other guilt trip - instead let your light shine through kindness, listening and true genuine relationship with people God cares IMMENSELY about - overlooking the halloween or other petty distractions we get all bent out of shape about. Let relationship grow, and THEY, seeing your good works, will ask you about this strange behavior and open their hearts to you for you to share your faith with them.

I dare you this Halloween to bundle up little bags of candy, attach a card to them that says "For all the years you have given out candy on Halloween, THANK YOU" Put your name and address on the back if you like! Then go trick or treating, but instead of taking candy - give yours!  This simple act of kindness will surprise EVERY house, and it will open doors in your neighbourhood.  I dare you to join up with a neighbour and go trick or treating with them - buy them a coffee to stay warm and ask them questions about themselves the whole way, listening intently to discover the Gem that God adores so much. I dare you to look at halloween as an opportunity to serve, and to meet new people instead of an occasion you must fight, and protest.  Tell me how it goes for you - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

This year, I'm dressing up, and participating with my church in TRICK or EAT - An event that collects non-perishable food items along trick or treat routes to raise food and funds for our local food bank.  You can help to, just check out TRICK or EAT - help the BRANTFORD, ONTARIO chapter raise money, or organize your own event! It's time to Redeem Halloween!