Shine Your Light on Halloween

“I want to dress up like an angel this year so the bad guys will see me and know that I belong to Jesus.”

My heart melted when my daughter said these words two months ago. Apparently Halloween was on her brain extra early this year, and costumes were of utmost importance.

Of course, I couldn’t deny her wish to be an angel, so I promptly went online and bought all the supplies we would need. What amazes me about her declaration is that even at the age of nine, she recognizes the existence of light and dark in this world. And she wants to be the light.

If I’m being honest, Halloween sometimes feels like a big inconvenience. I spend way too much money on candy that I’ll eat way too much of. I barely sit on my couch all evening as the doorbell rings nonstop. I open the door to cute, dressed-up kids but also to creepy costumes I’d rather not see. Then I fill buckets and bags with treats that parents will probably hijack after two days of children bouncing off the walls.

Any other mamas with me in this?

The thing is, I’ve approached some Halloweens with this mindset. But lately, I view it as an opportunity to shine the light of Jesus. Just like my daughter wants to show Him off everywhere she walks, it’s a way for me to do the same.

If you want to shine some light in your own neighborhood this Halloween, here are a few ideas you might try.

Sit outside.

This is one of my favorite things. If weather permits, I camp out in a lawn chair in my driveway during trick-or-treat hours. This gives me the chance to have more face time with my neighbors—to introduce myself if I haven’t met them and talk beyond a quick “Thank you” and “You’re welcome.” By sitting outside, I make myself more accessible. (And frankly, it saves me the stress of answering my doorbell every two seconds.)

You might take this to another level by setting up a small bonfire. When neighbors come, they may choose to linger a few extra minutes (especially if it’s cold), and you have more opportunities to talk and connect. Maybe instead of candy, you hand out s’mores packs and invite your neighbors to enjoy them right then and there.

Invite your neighbors to church.

You don’t want to be overbearing or pushy here, but if you have an opportunity to talk about church, why not do it? If you’ve been intentionally building relationships with your neighbors, this could be a natural time to talk about it and ask if they want to join you sometime.

Another idea is to attach an invitation to the candy you hand out. You could include a small activity the kids can do (stickers, maze, etc.) and a brief mention of the church name and service times. Don’t skimp on the candy, though! That’s priority number one for any trick-or-treater. The invitation is an add-on.

Be strategic with your costume choice.

My family doesn’t do “churchy” costumes every Halloween, but my daughter’s angel outfit will be a perfect conversation starter. If you’re not sure how to invite your neighbor to church, a strategic costume could turn the focus there without much effort. Maybe you or your kids dress up as a famous Bible character, a Pilgrim, or clergyman. Curiosity will get the questions coming, and then you may find yourself with an open door.

Above all else, let your light shine this Halloween with kindness and a smile. Every person who comes to your door needs the love of Jesus. Don’t miss the opportunity for Him to shine through you!

Let’s talk: What are some ways you shine light on Halloween? Share your ideas in a comment below.