Halloween is one of those controversial holidays in the Christian culture.  Some people preach against the evils of Halloween. Some people don’t want anything to do with it. Some pretend Halloween doesn’t exist.  Some find alternatives to Halloween–like Harvest festivals.  Some blindly join in the celebration arguing that it’s completely harmless.

I’ve done all of these at some point.

The truth is Halloween does indeed have pagan origins and many of the traditions associated with Halloween clearly remind us of that.  It’s also a time when evil is  glorified and  fear, horror, torment, murder and death are made light of–even celebrated.  The darkness associated with Halloween is very real!  So are the demons, witches, and other ghoulish creatures that are often dismissed as mythical creatures.

Without a doubt, all of this comes from the evil one–Satan.

Yes, Halloween is dark.  But I believe it’s a picture of the spiritual reality that many people experience everyday. I believe that if we could see in the spiritual realm, everyday would look like Halloween.

We would see the evil spirits who torment and keep people in bondage. We would see the masks that people wear.  Though they seem happy, successful and alive, they are really the walking dead.  Empty. Depressed. Wounded. Addicted. Hurting. Tormented. Confused. Carrying HEAVY HEAVY burdens. Walking in darkness.

But we are the light!  Light was meant to shine in darkness, not to be hidden under a bowl because the darkness is too dark.

The darker the darkness, the brighter our lights shine.   If I have the light, why would I turn away from the many people who are stumbling in the darkness–completely oblivious of the dangers that await them and completely unaware that freedom is closer than they realized?

Halloween or Holy eve is a day created by God.  Not the devil!  So we can choose to see this day, October 31st, as a day that is set apart of the purposes of God–not a day to be scorned or ignored or feared.  It’s a beautiful day that is to be embraced.  It’s a day that we can choose to be thankful in.  It’s a day that we can walk in love.  It’s a day that we can celebrate the goodness of our God.  It’s day that we can do good for others.

We  can make the most of the opportunity to connect with our neighbors, to bring joy to little neighborhood kids as we hand out generous portions of sweet treats with smiling faces and kind and encouraging words.

We can shine the light by setting apart our homes apart as a safe place–a place of love and compassion.  A place where sinners are welcome with open arms.  A place of beauty and goodness. A place where the broken are healed.  A place where the dead are resurrected.  A place where people are free to be themselves. A place where truth is spoken in love.  A place that is saturated with the Spirit of the Living God.

Let us shine our lights so that others are able to see the hope that awaits them.

This is my prayer for my home and yours tonight:

Heavenly Father fill and saturate my home with your Spirit so that every person that steps onto my property senses your presence.  May the dead be resurrected. May the wounded be healed.  May the light of your presence dispel all darkness. May minds be open to hear the truth. May hearts become receptive to the truth of the Gospel.  May those held in bondage be set free! May the perfect love of God cast out ALL FEAR!  

Oh Lord, I ask that you do exceedingly, abundantly more than we ask or even imagine according to your great power that is at work within us.  Take our candy and our willingness to interact with neighbors and multiply our work so that it satisfies the deeper needs.  I pray that people encounter you tonight in a life transforming way.  I trust you to work in the hearts of our neighbors as we give.  

Jesus you are Lord of Halloween!  Amen.

Have a powerful Halloween!

Choose Love, Not Fear.