With it being Halloween next week, you might be busy making plans and working out what you’re going to do. Maybe you have children wanting to be taken trick or treating? Perhaps, you’re someone who has always turns off all the lights and hides in a back room? Or, you’re really excited about welcoming people to your door and you’re wondering how to best use this opportunity to share the love of Jesus? Personally, I feel like Halloween is a bit like marmite — you either dread it or you are really excited about it. Whichever you category you fall into, something we can all do is to prepare for it in one way or another.
So, what are you going to do this Halloween? I’d encourage you to take time to prayerfully decide on the best decision for you and your family, and to resist judging the choices of others. Remember, you don’t have to get involved in some of the darker elements of the day in order to make it memorable; even using it to point towards light, hope and healing. Something we teach our children at King’s Kids is to ask themselves, “How can we be more like Jesus?” That would be a great question to start with.
Whether you have children or not, here are some suggestions to spread hope instead of fear this Halloween; bringing peace into a situation that can normally be quite scary:
Get creative
Carve a pumpkin with positive or uplifting artwork to display outside of your home. (Scroll down for some ideas!) Or, put up some autumnal decorations to bring cheer to passers-by and convey a message of hope.
Check on your neighbours
Perhaps you have neighbours who might feel vulnerable during this season, why not invite them round for a coffee? Or, drop off some goodies and have a friendly doorstep chat?
Celebrate Jesus
We will be having a Light & Praise party for those at church and within our community with primary aged children. Bring the family, or come along and help us put on this event, and eat lots of sweet treats in the process!
Let the kids take charge
Encourage your children to pray and ask God for ideas. At King’s Kids we give our children lots of opportunities to grow in their ability to hear God’s voice. Maybe they want to make some cards with prophetic words to hand out to trick or treaters? Be bold in asking those visiting your door if there is anything you can pray for.
Need more ideas?
For additional resources and information, check out the following…
Parenting for Faith has some helpful articles on navigating Halloween
Bag of Hope (UCB) and Pumpkin Heroes (WorldVision) offer material you can order to hand out to trick or treaters as well as activity packs.
However Halloween will look for you this year, let’s use the occasion to celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World! He came to bring Hope and Peace to everyone, and we have the privilege of partnering with Him, not just in this season, but every day.
Much love,
Nicky Stanyard and the eFocus Team
