This week, on Thursday, it will be Halloween. I know Halloween splits opinion among Christians. Some embrace it, others seek to redeem it, some do an alternative, whilst others just shun it. I don’t think the Bible offers a hard and fast answer and I don’t think it’s one of those issues that means anybody needs to fall out. We can all seek to apply whatever the relevant biblical principles are to our context and work these things out for ourselves.
For our part, we usually run a Light Party. Sadly, this year, because of the way half terms fall, numerous families being away and the not-unrelated issue of not having enough volunteers, we can’t run it this year. So, what are my family (who are not away) to do?
For our part (and, again, let me stress I think this is a wisdom issue not a conscience-binding one), we will sit it out. Whilst we tend towards engaging with an alternative that is entirely separate to Halloween – it is specifically a Light Party – if we can’t do that, we are of the view that it is better for us to sit the whole thing out.
Your mileage may vary, of course. But, rather than reinvent the wheel and say all the same things again, I thought I would reshare an article from back in 2019 about why we don’t celebrate Halloween. It does go on to explain why we specifically prefer a Light Party – that is our option 1 – but it should be obvious enough, if we can’t do the Light Party, why we are choosing to sit things out. I hope you click the below link and read through the reasoning. Whether you are convinced by it or not, I trust you will at least understand it.
Of course, that doesn’t mean we have to be total misers about matters. I don’t think it behoves the gospel for us to shut the door in people’s faces or refuse to give people anything other than a stern lecture about the evils of Halloween and a Christian tract. After all, these people are knocking on for reasons that are entirely understandable and predictable if they aren’t believers – it is Halloween and, culturally, it is what people now do! Whilst we might not want to join in, the gospel is not served by being miserable about it. There is no damage done by giving people – who knock on in total ignorance of our views – some sweets and bit of kindness. The lecture probably won’t lead them to Christ but not being a miser about it all might just open up other doors for you down the track. There are ways of not joining in without being totally miserable, weird and aggressive about it all!
Nevertheless, we will sit it out. Our kids might not go trick or treating, but we’ll make sure the love of mum and dad and the reality of gospel grace leads to more treats than joining in with what we find problematic. We’ll also try and do something fun with our kids at home instead so they aren’t missing out on that front either. We might not be able to do our usual (and, in my honest opinion, better) Light Party, but we’ll do our level best to ensure that the light of the gospel isn’t just claimed to be better, but is seen to better in reality for our kids.
Once again, you may work these things out differently. That is between you and the Lord and for you to discuss with your own children. But click the link below to understand why we won’t join in and why, however we do it, we want our not joining in to be better in reality.
Spot on. Two things have struck me recently. 1. If Christians want to subvert Halloween, then one option would be to subvert that material greed element and go out with treats to give to neighbours instead of to receive treats. 2. Do we need churches to organise light parties. Ond option open is for families to host a party for their kids and their friends at home just as you might a birthday party. Nb as you say, the option to “sit it out” is there and I think is in common with much of secular society too.
I think you can effectively do whatever you want to do. Most of what you land on is going to be driven by how you view halloween and what the different opportunities for the gospel you might get from respective ways of doing something different.
For us, home parties wouldn’t work in our community. Muslim families with whom we have built trust will come to the church but not necessarily to a house (certainly not all of them) so church party works best in our context.