Sharing Your Faith on Halloween

Even though we are in a town that celebrates this as a holiday this is not one that we completely take part in. We don't do the costumes or carve the pumpkins. The light is not turned on for those that are going door to door. But there are still knocks at our door.

We once would not answer the door but that has changed over the last few years. As you read on you will see how and why. So please continue on and find the reasoning behind this change.

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Looking back over the first two of these I helped out at. The weather encouraged both to have people stop in. The first was a snowstorm and the second year there was a heavy rain coming down.

What am I talking about you are wondering? Well our church has done this a few times. We were able to use a local gym and get it set up with activities for the local kids to come and enjoy. There were puppet shows and face painting. We had people dressed up as clowns and doing balloon animals. There was even a place to win a gold fish. There were many other activities but the main idea was to share with the community. And at the same time giving kids several enjoyable activities.

Parents were also brought into the picture. Or to a certain extent out of the picture. There were teens and adults that would walk around with their children sharing the activities with them. And you are wondering what about the parents. Well they would have a sort of snack aria where we had drinks such as coffee, tea and cyder. There were also pastries and other sweets that they could enjoy. Sort of a way for the parents to relax and fellowship with other adults. Knowing that their kids were in easy earshot and watched over while they got a change to relax.

And as a final note there would be bags of candy for each child that had been there that evening.

Even if the light was off and there was no jack-o-lantern

For several years we would answer the door and explain that we did not celebrate Halloween. The light was always turned off and the curtains closed. Because it was not something we participated in we would not have a pumpkin outside. We are talking the non-carved type. But the people still knocked.

It was interesting that the parents would not stop their kids. I remember growing up that my parents would tell me that if the outside light was off that you do not knock on the door. This was not Motel 6 we would not leave the light on for anyone.

It was interesting explaining to the kids and college kids that we did not believe in this holiday nor did we take part in it. Sorry no candy. The eggs hit our home more than once because of this.

Then the wife got an idea. Why not give them the biggest piece of chocolate that they could get their hands on. And place on them a scripture and church contact information. So the light was still off and they would still knock. But now they get the explanation of why we do not believe in Halloween and a large piece of chocolate. Add to that the attached scripture and invitation to our church.

They may ignore the attached piece of paper but if they take the time to read it at least the seed has planted. And as they say some will plant the seeds and others will water them and yet others will be their for the harvest.

Which way do you use?