So I know that there are so many Christians who are anti-Halloween. We see this all the time. We segregate ourselves, in the name of protecting our kids, to our fellowship halls and church parking lots. We call what we do a "harvest festival" or "trunk or treat." We invite people to come to our church property and then we hand out candy in a safe (no witches or devil or Harry Potter costumes allowed) environment. These are all fine and good... to an extent.
But have you ever thought of Halloween as the only day of the year that you have people who may not be Christians knocking at your door. Have you ever thought that you could make Jesus look really good by handing out the best candy in your neighborhood?
I find it extremely sad that the only homes with the porch lights off are Christian's (because they are at church with their churched friends getting safe candy) and pedophiles (because the law forces them to keep their lights off). How can followers of Jesus be salt and light if they are not where salt and light are needed?
490 years ago today a former monk nailed a piece of paper to the cathedral doors at Wittenburg. He was promoting a revolution of beliefs. Rick Warren says that we've got the beliefs thing down, but now we need a revolution of deeds. Maybe the first place we could start would be to stay home and give out candy to people who need Jesus. Maybe we could get the reputation of being the house with the best candy in town. Maybe people would start knocking on our doors because Christians give out the best stuff on Halloween.
Just some thoughts that I think every year about this time.
One more thing... today is my brother's birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN!!! I was superman the day he was born. That's why he's so cool!
8 comments:
I totally agree! Tonight I wanted to go out (b/c I thought nowhere would be crowded) and my beautiful wife reminded me that this is a great time to talk to neighbors. I love her. We're making hot cocoa for the parents tonight. (on this 60 degree evening)
:) I might get in a little trouble with my recent post. Man, blogs can be too easy.
At our church this year our pastor got printed "Safe Candy Zone Sponsored by Cross Point Church" and encouraged people to stay home and "don't give out stupid candy."
The church also made available some cards that people could give to kids with more information. I thought it was a very cool idea. (We did the "Fall Festival" thing Sunday night.)
Every year Halloween night in our neighborhood is crazy crowded. I was disappointed last night at the lack of people home. I couldn't figure out why, then I remembered it was Wednesday night. All the Christians were gathered together at church gyms across our county. Somehow I think that is self-defeating.
Cliff,
The only homes that weren't giving out candy in my neighborhood were the homes where Christians live. Sad, sad, sad.
I never knew this post would be so popular. I think that when we aren't home for times like this we play right into people's perceptions of Christians as Sheltered (from UnChristian). I think it's time to change people's perceptions.
Now I feel all guilty - I was participating in a Halloween event with work so we didn't hand out candy at home. However, Ben did carve a super scary, evil looking jack-o-lantern that we lit and left on the front porch. Does that count? :-)
In all seriousness though, with everything you guys have been facing lately, it's good to see you having some family fun!
Shelley,
Thanks for the comment!!! I didn't mean to make you feel guilty. You shouldn't feel guilty because you were at a work function. I'm all about work functions and community functions, but not into church functions that shelter and segregate us from people who need Jesus. I bet Ben's pumpkin was awesome! So, when are ya'll going to move to Spartanburg? We could use you!
Brilliant! Great post.
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