How To Be The Best House On Halloween
KNOCK-KNOCK.
Who’s there?
Opportunity.
Opportunity Who?
Opportunity is knocking at your door this Oct 31st.
The opportunity to love your neighbor on Halloween and be a LIGHT.
I know, I know, it is the dreaded holiday — Halloween. The one you celebrate BECAUSE it’s over.
But what if I told you that October 31st is redeemable? This is a day when you can bring glory to God. How, you ask? By letting your light shine!
Jesus says,
“I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness
but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
Not only does He say that He is the light of the world, but that WE are as well.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” Matt 5:14-16
Don’t hide, turning out all the lights so no one can see you this Halloween. And please don’t put a note on your door saying, “We are Christians and don’t celebrate evil.”
Paul says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
This is the time to overcome the darkness with light.
What if this year we all turn our lights up bright, and are the light to our neighbors?
How can you be a LIGHT this year to those around you? How can you be the best house to stop at? It can be as simple as opening your DOOR!
- Turn on your lights. Make your house bright and cheery. Put a string of white Christmas lights around your house. Make luminaries to line your walkway — buy Kraft lunch bags, fill with 2 inches of sand, and place battery lights inside.
- Give the BEST candy. (If you give a good-news tract, put candy with it as well.) Chocolate. Chocolate. Chocolate. Be a generous giver.
- Pray for your neighborhood as you prepare. Prayer-walk or prayer-drive the neighborhood, asking God to help you develop relationships and to be a blessing to someone.
- Have treats for the parents — cold water or hot chocolate, depending on the weather.
- Greet visitors with a smile and a welcoming attitude. Be on the porch as they walk up. Create an inviting atmosphere with happy music playing. Decorate with pumpkins. (Remember they are not evil.)
- Get to know your neighbors by asking how they are or who they are.
- Value the children by finding something positive to say about their costumes.
- Have some dog treats available in case your neighbors bring Fido.
If you don’t have a “neighborhood” that has any trick-or-treaters, then ask a friend who has “too many” if you can help and buy candy, be a greeter and a blessing.
Go — and be the light!
Other ideas and resources:
Click here for an excellent article on the origins and history of Halloween and All Hallows’ Eve.
Here are some great ways to redeem trick or treating and to give your kids a purpose in dressing up.