There has long been an intense conversation about whether or not Christians should “celebrate” Halloween. I share my opinion here. First, I’d like to share my memories of Halloweens long past.
My earliest childhood memories of Halloween involve trick-or-treating down a long, winding country road. Houses were so far apart that our parents drove my younger brother and me from house to house. We readily accepted the apples that were offered to us, excited for the treats. A few short years later, we celebrated Halloween at Spartan Village, where we lived while our parents attended Michigan State University. Here the Halloween experience was unique. Spartan Village was apartment-style living, so we were able to do our trick-or-treating on foot. Spartan Village was also a multi-national community. We got plenty of typical candy fare, but we also received homemade treats that represented other countries. Attached to the homemade treats were the address and phone number they came from, in case parents had any questions. The only thing I remember about those homemade treats is that they were sweet and delicious!
In Mexico, Halloween is celebrated as “Día de Muertos,” or “Day of the Dead.” The children’s movie “Coco” presents Día de Muertos as a fun time to remember ancestors and honor their memory. Naturally, there are more scary images associated with Halloween. The “Halloween” movies, for instance, based around the character “Michael Myers.” The “Freddie Krueger” Movies. (For the record, I have never seen those movies.)
My personal experience with being frightened on Halloween relates to visiting a Haunted house at a fair. Walking through the haunted house with my parents and my little brother, the things we saw were scary enough without inducing terror. However, on the way out of the building, there was a man lying on a table. I stood there a few extra moments, trying to figure out if he was “real.” As I stood there looking at him, he suddenly jumped off the table. I ran out of the building and into my Dad’s waiting arms!
I see Halloween as a time to show hospitality. Many of the churches I have been involved in provide their neighborhoods and communities with an alternative Halloween. Rather than spending Halloween going door-to-door, potentially getting frightened by neighbors who think of Halloween as a time to play tricks on unsuspecting children, these churches encourage a time of family-friendly games and laughter. Of course, candy still plays a big part in the fun!
Whether you choose to stay at home and hand out treats to those who visit you, or to be a part of a bigger Halloween celebration such as a Fall Festival, I hope you will take the opportunity to show hospitality, and be the hands and feet of Jesus in your community.
