Share the Light of Jesus this Halloween
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
1. 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?
Streets of Light - Helen Ward
In 2017 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!
Now hundreds and hundreds of windows are lit up each year, not just in Sheffield, but also in Cambridge, Wolverhampton, Tunbridge Wells, Hertford, Gloucester, Thame, Loughborough, Lincoln, Leeds, Scarborough, Barnet, Nottingham and many other countries too... including Wales, Scotland, Denmark, Germany and Australia!
The team at Streets of Light seek to bring change & transformation to neighbourhoods & communities through window displays that convey a message of Light, Love & Hope as an alternative to Halloween.
For one week, at the end of October, people create a design for their home, their place of work, a school, a church, a shop….in fact anywhere where there is a window! The windows are then lit up every evening, for people to spot and find. It is that simple!
The only rule is that each display must include one of the key words - Light, Love or Hope - the rest is up to you and your imagination! Could you get involved this year?
Open wide the curtains, turn all the lights on, you could even get outdoor lights to light up your garden. (I once considered hiring a huge sky beam light to guide people to our house…sadly our budget didn’t stretch, but like a Bat signal in the sky you could project a cross…check you’re not too close to an air field though!).
2. 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.
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
Life savers - Jesus gave his life to save yours.
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.
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
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 maybe the first contact for them with your church.
This can be run alongside a more traditional light party on the same night.
3. Have No Fear
Whether you choose to use halloween as an opportunity to engage with the community or not remember that we need not be afraid.
We can use the time to pray for our neighbours and our community, that they may turn from darkness to Jesus, the light of life.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1
