Handling Halloween as a Christian family is starting to get tricky at our house.
With a middle school girl and boy at home, the Disney princess and super hero costumes have lost their allure. What’s left to choose from is either scary or frankly, a bit more seductive than I prefer.
Ask Yourself Questions
Yesterday, an hour long discourse ensued at the store as to what an “appropriate costume” looked like (sigh).
In between the banter I began to ask myself,
“How should we handle Halloween as a Christian family, anyway?”
“As a Christian family trying to teach our kids biblical principles, should I just boycott Halloween altogether?”
“Where is the balance between dressing up and having fun, yet teaching my kids to be discerning about evil?”
What Does Halloween Mean in the Bible?
There’s nothing specific about Halloween in the Bible, but I do know in the city of Ephesus, people practiced sorcery and witchcraft daily. Also in Ephesus, Paul strategically moved his ministry out of the selectivity of synagogues and the obscurity of homes right into the city square. We are told that “everyone heard the Word of the Lord”(Acts 19:10) in Ephesus. Also, Paul planted many churches in the surrounding cities as a result of intentional ministry. In the darkest city of all, Paul strategically took the light of the gospel right into the center of it.
What Does the Bible Say About Halloween?
And right then and there, I made a resolution: I’m taking back Halloween. No, I’m not boycotting it. I’m reframing it. I’m using it as an opportunity to teach my kids that evil is real and we’re called to shine in the midst of it. How? We’ll serve at our church’s harvest festival. We don’t live in a neighborhood that gets trick or treaters, but if we did, I’d set up tables right in my driveway and serve food. Maybe include a craft or games. Bring out my dogs. Anything to cause my neighbors to stop for a few moments so I could interact with them- at least learn their names.
But we’ll also go out into the darkness. We’ll see things that are scary- people who laugh at death and destruction-children dressed as witches, devils and vampires, while my children wear historical costumes that recount life rather than celebrate death. I will introduce ourselves to others in our neighborhood and tell them where we live. We’ll try and make connections and then pray for those whom we met.
Create Conversations About A Christian Response to Halloween
After loading up with candy, we’ll have this conversation:
- God has given us a costume to wear- every day.
Colossians 3:12-14 MSG So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
2. We are not made for the darkness, but for light. We have been rescued from the darkness.
Philippians 2:15 MSG Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns.
3 Evil may be celebrating now, but God has already won.
Revelation 20:10 MSG The Devil who deceived them will be hurled into Lake Fire and Brimstone, joining the Beast and False Prophet, the three in torment around the clock for ages without end.
Handling Halloween
I could boycott Halloween. I could try and shelter my children from the sights and sounds of this annual holiday. (Remember, my kids are no longer 5 and 7- so use discernment here, parents.) Or I could take this opportunity and use if for good. I will remind them that we are not of this world. Our God overcame the world and brought light into the darkness. Will we hide our light away or go out and shine in that darkness?
Would you like a free guide to Prayers of Protection and Safety over your children during Halloween?
