Trunk or Treat, Light the Night, Autumn Adventure.....

For those of you who regularly read my blog, you have probably figured out by now, that I stray away, for the most part, from very controversial topics like politics, candidates, welfare, etc.
But today I am speaking out about something that has become controversial - Halloween. Now, it is really only controversial in “religious” circles, and that is where I am, for lack of a better way to put it, taking it on.
The controversy is in “alternatives” to the actual Halloween night. Some would say it is no different than joining in to what has become a Satanic night, and as we all know, it did NOT start out as a holiday for Satan* but has over the years, become such a holiday. (although, as many do not know, it is not satan’s “Christmas” nor is it his biggest holiday)
Many churches now reach out to the unsaved community (as well as those who are in Christ) and offer “trunk or treats”, “nights of light”, “autumn adventures” or what ever they name it, as an alternative to the actual Halloween celebration. And I say….why not????!!!! After all, SHOULDN’T we as the church off an alternative to being a part of what satan would want us to be doing? After all, didn’t our Heavenly Father offer US an alternative to what satan would want us to be doing? Isn’t Christ our ALTERNATIVE to an eternity in hell?
YES, YES and YES.
What better thing for the church (not a building, but the body of Christ) to do than to offer wholesome, God filled, God loving places for children (and their guardians) to be!
I know a family who offers hot chocolate, hot cider & cookies in their front yard for the parents to respite while their children “trick or treat” on their block. Conversations are wholesome and many times lead to a conversation about Christ when this family is asked why they do what they do, and if it doesn’t go in that direction, that is really ok, as they have shown God’s love in their actions.
For many people of the communities where these events (trunk or treats, etc.) are offered, it is the one and only time during the year that they will actually come to a church affiliated event, therefore OUR only time as the church to reach out to those who do not attend church. (and please note, I am not saying that the Church only reaches out once a year)
After all, on Oct. 31st, or that weekend, if the Church does not offer a place of love, joy, peace, fun and yes, candy, what is the alternative for that? HALLOWEEN.


*,” it is more typically linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain, whose original spelling was Samuin (pronounced sow-an or sow-in). The name of the festival historically kept by the Gaels and celts in the British Isles which is derived from Old Irish and means roughly "summer's end"