Shining a Light on Halloween Generosity

Matthew 5:16 – with a holiday insert  “In the same way, let your light shine before others” — the light on your front porch, the candy you give out, the conversations you have on your front stoop — “so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 

I know that Halloween is not the favorite holiday of everyone. Some wonder whether it’s faithful to dress up in costumes and tell spooky, scary stories. But there are some wonderful elements of our cultural holiday that can be embraced through the eyes of faith.  What other time now-a-days can we enjoy a giggling gaggle of children walking through the neighborhood excited to greet their neighbors? In our culture of stranger danger, our kids are taught to avoid interacting with those they don’t know… except on this one night. This is a night where generosity and hospitality are on display. We light up our carved pumpkins and turn on our porch lights, waiting to share goodies that we went out of our way to purchase for others, simply for the joy of bringing a smile to the face of a child. That, my friends, is where our faith truly lines up with this celebration.  As you anticipate the trick-or-treaters coming to your doorstep today, consider the way you can shine the light of Christ’s love to all those you encounter. Greet your visitors with a smile and remember, that whether you share your gifts with an angel, a vampire, or spiderman, behind the costume is a beloved child of God. 

Prayer
Light of Christ, illumine our hearts on this Halloween day. May we fully embrace your spirit of generosity and hospitality, looking for opportunities to light up the night with your love. Amen.