Share the Light of Jesus this Halloween

11 September 25

Share the Light of Jesus this Halloween

7 minute read

Trick-or-treating and the commercialisation of Halloween are hard to avoid in the UK.

The old adage, “Money makes the world go round,” seems to drive more and more businesses to decorate their shops and sell products for a theme that, as Christians, we would prefer to steer clear of.

If you grew up in the 80s, “costumes” were often just a black bin liner and a brittle plastic mask depicting a witch, vampire, or pirate. Today, costumes are elaborate and often draw on horror movies with brutal, bloody themes.

A question we can ask ourselves is: Should we distance ourselves as far as possible from Halloween, or should we embrace being light in the darkness? The answer will be a personal one.

For those who would like to use the season for the gospel, here are our top tips.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

Be the Light

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

Matthew 5:14-15

We are the light, and we can embrace that in this dark season. Can we make our houses and our attitudes quite literally light up our community?

In 2016 Helen Ward was troubled by the amount of gruesome decorations where she lived. This prompted her to invite local homes and businesses to take part in Streets of Light in Sheffield. 100 homes and businesses took part and decorated their windows with displays showing light, love and hope!

Helen explains, “One day, just before Halloween, I was driving home in Sheffield. On the brow of a hill, a large pub stands on the corner. Its position and prominence makes it a real landmark - a gateway - to this area of the city. I noticed that the pub had something on its roof. As I got closer, I realised that it was a giant gallows strung with dangling life sized skeletons. The doors and windows of the pub had been boarded up with pretend wood, and fake blood and spider webs covered them. There were gravestones in the outside smoking area. I was shocked. It was gruesome, graphic, definitely not family friendly…..and it was the first thing that anyone driving into our area would see.

Almost immediately I felt God stir my spirit and ask, “Is this what you want people in your area to see? Is this message of death and destruction something that you want your community to be known for? Or is there something different that could be displayed, a different message for people to see at this time of year?”

It was too late to do anything that year, but by the following autumn I had developed the idea of encouraging people to decorate their windows with a display that shared a message of Light, Love or Hope, and light it up each evening for people to see. We would then put trail maps and routes together, so that people could head out and look for the ‘Streets of Light’ as an alternative to Halloween.

As Christians, we are called to speak hope into darkness, and to reflect the light and love of Jesus into our communities. Streets of Light is an easy, accessible way of doing this. It brings people together, involves the whole church community, and we have been so surprised at how many non-Christians also want to get involved. Lots of people feel uncomfortable with Halloween, but they often can’t explain why. Streets of Light has given them the opportunity to share these thoughts and have faith based conversations with Christians in their area.

Even if you are the only person in your church or community taking part, please do sign up. Every single window location is given a lightbulb pin on our interactive online map, and you never know which people walking past your house need to see a message that reminds them that light overcomes the darkness, that they are loved, and that there is hope.”

Now hundreds and hundreds of windows are lit up each year, not just in Sheffield, but also around England and many other countries too... including Wales, Scotland, Denmark, Germany and Australia!

Could you get involved this year?

Don’t Conform, Be Transformed

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)”

Ephesians 5:8-9

People knocking on your door and asking for you to give them something…what an incredible opportunity for the gospel! But we also want to make sure we aren’t simply conforming to the world. We’re called to goodness, righteousness and truth.

Kim Carson shares how her stance on Halloween has changed over the years.

"I had always been taught of the dark side of Halloween and to never see it as just a bit of harmless fun.

By the time my own children were born, we would actively discourage trick or treaters by turning all our lights off and ignoring the doorbell.

A few years ago I read an article by a Christian who explained how she used Halloween to engage with her neighbours, and used the opportunity to speak of Jesus. I couldn't stop thinking about it. As I suffer with a chronic illness, I knew I couldn't do exactly what she did, but I could do something! I spoke with my husband and children, and we decided to give out together small gift bags that highlighted how Jesus is the Light of the World. They included a tract, a glow stick (or similar), a printout of a Bible verse, a copy of the Life Magazine, a small bag of sweets and a hot drink sachet for the adults.

We explain that we are Christians - so don't celebrate Halloween - but we offer them a Light of the World gift bag. So far no-one has declined, and we pray our small gift plays a part in leading them to Jesus."

Some ideas how we can authentically live up to our calling:

1. Create a welcoming atmosphere

Decorate your home with friendly, light centred themes—perhaps with Christian symbols like carving a cross into a pumpkin, or decorating your windows.

2. Give gospel tracts with treats

Choose age-appropriate, attractive gospel tracts that share the message of Jesus in a simple

way. You can pop them into a treat bag or hand them out with a smile and a kind word.

3. Use Scripture

Wrap sweets or chocolate bars with a bible verse, or add a small tag to a treat bag. You can even stamp a verse into a cookie or gingerbread.

Use encouraging Bible verses like:

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” – John 8:12

“For God so loved the world” – John 3:16

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Isaiah 41:10

4. Be generous

I’ve heard of Christians leaving a ‘tip’ in a restaurant of a single tract. I know, the gospel is the most valuable gift we can offer people…but they don’t know that yet, and we don’t want people thinking we’re being stingy! Of course, give the tract, but don’t hold back on a treat too. You’ll soon have a line of people when they hear you’re the house giving out the full size chocolate bars, or the unique gifts like Scripture Mini Torches or Scripture pencils. And don't forget the grown-ups! Pass them a Life Magazine and a treat.

5. Be ready for conversations

If someone asks about your decorations or tracts, or comments on how generous you’ve been, be prepared to share your faith gently and respectfully.

Keep it simple: “We just want everyone to know they’re loved by Jesus.”

“God has done so much for me, I just want to show that love to others.”

6. Pray beforehand

Ask God to guide your interactions and to open hearts.

Pray for the families who visit your home, even if you don’t get to speak with them directly.

7. Follow up if possible

If you know any of the families personally, consider inviting them to a church event or a family-friendly gathering later in the week, or add in a flyer for your church family ministries.

Church ideas

If your church is in a prominent position on a housing estate with a lot of foot traffic, consider how you can follow similar tips. In addition, you may consider a Light Station: Set up a small table with free hot chocolate, glow sticks, or small treats labeled “Jesus is the Light!” to draw attention in a positive way.

This can be a great conversation starter with parents or older kids and may be the first contact for them with your church.

This can be run alongside a more traditional light party on the same night.