Have you ever had a really strong sense of conviction about something, convinced that there was no shade of gray about it, and because of that, viewed every one else’s behavior as simply…wrong?  Halloween is one of those polarizing topics, but could be one that is actually peppered with shades of gray?

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Where Are You on the Halloween Spectrum?

Many Christians see Halloween as a black-and-white situation.  The day has roots that date back to the ancient Celtics who believed that on the eve of the new year, the line between the spiritual realm and physical realm became blurred.  As such, they offered burnt sacrifices to Celtic deities and attempted to use the spirits to help predict future fortune.  Sounds like nothing a Christian would want to dabble in, yes?

As a Christian, I would agree and say that I would not be one to participate in ancient Celtic rituals.  But is this the meaning of Halloween now as we participate in the donning of costumes and treat bags, as we gather as neighbors and delight children by indulging them with candy?

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Don’t get me wrong, I know that there are celebrations of evil that take place on Halloween.  I know that there are people that go to ostentatious lengths to scare others and to evoke reactions of horror, fear, and gruesomeness.  But on some level, does this not happen every day that we live in this world?

Participation in the Gray

Ultimately, whether or not and how you celebrate on Halloween is between you and God.  What is right for one person may not be right for another.  What one must avoid, may be freely given to another.  We must press into God through our relationship with Him in order to discern what is appropriate for us and for those around us.  In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes this:

“So why do you condemn another believer?  Why do you look down on another believer?  Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God…Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.”  Romans 14: 10-13

One family may decide that they are unable to be a light for Christ within any part of a Halloween celebration.  Another family may discern that they can best be a witness for Christ by celebrating with their neighborhood.  If you are having trouble deciding where you are on the spectrum, I find that it is helpful to try on a variety of ideas so to help me gauge where the Holy Spirit is leading me.

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Being a Light in Any Situation

If you decide to take part in a celebration on/around Halloween, here are some ideas that might help you bring Christ’s light into any situation:

• Host a Halloween/Autumn Festival at your house or local park:  By planning the activities, you can establish the environment and the content of the celebration.  You can also specify the ground rules (i.e. no scary costumes, please).
• Invite friends/neighbors to a church festival:  Many local churches will have fall celebrations that promote the ideas and values of the Christian church.  You can call ahead of time to determine exactly what will be taking place at the celebration and get a feel for the general atmosphere of the event.
• Trick-or-Treating in safe places:  Establish safe houses in your neighborhood that which you know there will be minimal or no scary decorations.  Take your kids around to those houses only.
• Fill Tummies and Hearts:  Offer a small token to children (like a pocket cross) that represents your faith, in addition to a sweet treat, when they ring your doorbell.

Wherever you fall on the spectrum, may your light shine bright for Christ, on Halloween, and every other day.