Should Christians go trick or treating? …

Last year I was driving home from our local Truck or Treat at our church (where the church members get together to hand candy out of their trunk to kids, in a parking lot)… Ok, describing it, it sounds creepy, but its not! haha!
So, on our ride home, I heard someone come onto the Christian radio station that I listen to and he said what made a huge impact on me.

Before I go on and tell you what I heard, I will say that many of my friends do not participate in Trick or Treating because of the non-christian side of the holiday.  We always have, but I understand that some people don’t want to and I certainly do not judge anyone for making decisions that are right for their children and their family.

As my Grandma used to say…“Different strokes for different folks…”

So, what I heard on the radio (I am saying it in my own words, because I can’t remember the exact ones from a year ago):

There are over 41,000,000 children out Trick or Treating and many of them will come to YOUR door.  Will you take this opportunity to show them what a true Christian looks like or will you shut the door on them, telling them that THEY are not Christ-like because they are Trick-or-Treating?  

Isn’t that so compelling?  I thought that it was and I really agree!  This is a night where we can SHARE the love of Christ, show others how we can be generous, kind and welcoming.   We can also walk our children around to meet our neighbors, share our joy with them and pass it along.

Our family participates in our church activities for Halloween, too, but when you think about it:  how many non-Christians or “on the fence” Christians will be attending those?   Not many, I assume.   How can we do what we are meant to do and spread the word of Jesus Christ if we don’t reach out to those NOT at our church or NOT in our bible group, etc…

So, I would like to say that maybe this year, if you don’t normally participate in Trick or Treat night, you would re-consider it.  Dress your kids up and let them enjoy it.  Teach them about how we are going to show others what a Christian looks like, what a Christian household looks like, etc… we are going to take this opportunity of fun, candy and laughter and make it even better.   We will in NO WAY be considering it anything evil, because, after all, it was really a day to celebrate the Saints.
Here you go, taken from Wikipedia: “The word Halloween or Hallowe’en dates to about 1745^[13] and is of Christian origin.^[14] The word “Halloween” means “hallowed evening” or “holy evening”.^[15] It comes from a Scottish term for All Hallows’ Eve (the evening before All Hallows’ Day)”

And a peek at our past Trick or Treat nights…

My sister-in-law & I at our Halloween party a few years ago (Steeler Football Player & 80’s girl)…

How could these little ones not share joy? 

This was our youngest son a few years ago on his FIRST Halloween… 

What are your thoughts on Trick or Treating?