10 Ways Christians Can Redeem Halloween for Christ

Cathy Baker

Writer
Updated Sep 03, 2024
10 Ways Christians Can Redeem Halloween for Christ

Perhaps the first question to ask is, can Halloween be redeemed? After all, it is God alone who redeems the wayward soul. Still, for today's context, we will consider specific ways God may want to use us to help shine light in the darkness on Halloween, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16).

Christians debate whether or not to celebrate Halloween, and there are faithful Christ-followers on both sides of the debate. Parents must decide for their families, and neither side should judge—doing so causes foolish division, yet another tool in the enemy's arsenal to bring disunity among believers.

One word stood out to me while working on this post: celebrate. According to Merriam-Webster, celebrating is defined as honoring something. With this definition in mind, is there a difference between "honoring" Halloween and acknowledging its existence?

Honoring Halloween is revering it, accepting its origins, and emulating its customs. That's a normal response to someone or something we honor. This attitude poses problems for believers, as Halloween may have dark origins that shouldn't be revered or followed closely. To acknowledge Halloween is to recognize its existence—which allows for going beyond any dark origins to do something new, something redemptive.

The following ideas are for families who acknowledge Halloween and see it as an opportunity to be light in the darkness. If your family also acknowledges Halloween but chooses to respond differently, that's perfectly fine. Whatever you decide for your family, pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ who feel led otherwise, promoting unity as the body of Christ.

Considering the 10 ways to redeem Halloween, I encourage you to ask God to show you how to tweak them for your circumstances.

So, is Halloween redeemable? Jesus said it best in Matthew 19:26.

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.'"

Further Reading: What Is the History of Halloween?

Photo Credit :©GettyImages/Jose Luis Pelaez Inc

mom and dad holding little kids hands trick or treating on halloween

1. Discuss as a Family What You Believe about Halloween

Before discussing what you believe about Halloween, prayerfully consider if, up until now, you've unknowingly leaned your family more toward honoring Halloween instead of acknowledging it and how you feel led to continue.

As a parent, we sometimes assume our children know where we stand on an issue, but if we say with our lips that we love and honor God but imitate anyone or anything who is against God (Matthew 12:30), it can confuse children of any trick-or-treating age.

A good point of discussion might be costumes and why wearing costumes that celebrate witches (Galatians 5:19-20), demons (Ephesians 6:12), and sinful role models isn't glorifying God. It doesn't mean children have to dress up as biblical characters to be the light, as there are a lot of fun, lighthearted costumes to enjoy.

Choosing to redeem Halloween can be an exciting time as a family as you work together to tweak former traditions, creating a more redemptive tone that will reach far beyond October 31.

Further Reading: How to Talk to Your Kids about Halloween

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Sara Monika

little kid enjoying halloween candy in living room after trick or treating

2. Rethink the Candy Stash for Halloween Trick-or-Treaters

What do you remember most about the houses you visited if you went trick-or-treating as a child? Was it the color of the shutters? Was the lawn was nicely kept? Doubtful. I remembered the houses that handed out the best candy. By that, I mean full-size candy bars, the best flavors, and the freshest (wrappers that didn't stick to the candy-like glue). At eight years old, I didn't know the word to describe those homes, but now I know it to be generous. Generosity always stands out.

So, what if your family was known as the generous ones? Granted, candy isn't cheap. Some ideas to help finance "Operation Generosity" might include:

  • Setting aside $10.00 a month.
  • Purchasing non-sticky candy throughout the year.
  • Asking a small group to help buy full-size bars and other fun candy.

Or, have a yard sale and use part of the proceeds toward the candy purchase. Add a sign to the checkout table at the yard sale that says, "Raising Money to Bless Trick-or-Treaters with the love of Christ."

Further Reading: 6 Ways Your Family Can Be a Light This Halloween

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family trick or treating in neighborhood on halloween

3. Create a Neighborhood Event

If your family visits a particular neighborhood at Christmas that displays lights and Nativity scenes, offers hot cocoa, and festive paths, you know where I'm headed.

Create a similar neighborhood event by gathering other families who share your vision of engaging the community for Christ rather than celebrating the holiday. Some ideas could include families gathering at one home or cul-de-sac to set up different "stations." One could offer hot cocoa, another popcorn, offering generous hospitality. To take it a bit further:

  1. Set up a brightly colored, well-lit table inviting parents and children to write prayer requests on an index card (and drop them into a plastic pumpkin).
  2. Have a prayer warrior close by to pray with someone, if needed.
  3. Write uplifting scripture on bright cardstock and create table tents for the table.

Further Reading: How to Keep Your Kids Safe During Halloween

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/FamVeld

halloween trick or treat handing out candy, how to redeem halloween

4. Pray for People You Meet at Halloween

While someone hands out candy at the door, ask two or three (Matthew 18:20) prayer warriors to pray elsewhere in the home. We can pray for:

Spiritual protection over the children trick-or-treating. To not be drawn to or swayed by evil, for them to come to know Jesus at an early age and serve him wholeheartedly throughout their lives.

Salvation for the parents who do not know Jesus. Pray they will be blessed by how you've chosen to bless their children and will be drawn to the light of Christ.

Redemption for those involved in witchcraft and demonic influences. Ask God to break the chains of bondage to these beliefs and to be set free by God's truth.

"If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed." (John 8:36)

Further Reading: Is It Possible to Have a 'Christian' Halloween?

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family trick or treating together in neighborhood

5. Play Upbeat Praise Music in the Background

Praise music has a way of speaking to the heart. Its focus on the Lord's goodness subtly enters our minds while doing a mighty work in the heart. On a night that focuses on dark and scary, we can redeem Halloween by playing upbeat, joyful music. It's another outlet for shining light in the darkness as we seek to engage, not celebrate.

Play music on your phone or through outdoor speakers where trick-or-treaters can hear it. Keep in mind the age group ringing your doorbell. For instance, Randall Goodgame offers fun, uplifting songs that kids and adults enjoy.

Playing music is also a good option if you can't be home or must step away.

Further Reading: 4 Evangelism Ideas for Halloween

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/SolStock 

fall festival, ways to redeem halloween

6. Lend a Helping Hand to Churches

Many local churches offer their spin on Halloween, like Trunk-or-Treats or a Fall Festival. If you live in an area with few trick-or-treaters or cannot "host" on your front porch, getting involved with a church is a great option.

If you're a member of that church, you'll likely have more opportunities, but all churches welcome candy donations. Or consider other ways you could donate toward their efforts in reaching out to the community, like offering to do their signage, helping them promote the event, decorating a trunk, or sitting in your car across the street praying for those in attendance.

Further Reading: Is Celebrating Halloween a Sin?

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/dimetradim

person holding halloween trick or treat pumpkin bucket on front porch

7. Gift a Treat to Your Neighbors

Becoming intentional about redeeming Halloween often requires us to think outside the box.

One idea is to carry your own plastic pumpkin when taking your children trick-or-treating. Fill it with tiny treats to share with neighbors you've yet to meet. As the children concentrate on dropping candy in their pumpkin buckets, take a moment to introduce yourselves while handing them a treat. Individually wrapped pieces of chocolate in a small cellophane bag, a few fall-flavored tea bags or a fall votive candle work nicely. Tying the bag with a ribbon is also a nice touch; add a tag with your names if possible.

Further Reading: 6 Ways to Be Missional on Halloween

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Carol Yepes

mom with kids making halloween crafts, how to redeem halloween for christ

8. Find Ways to Serve the Community

If you don't have small children in the home or decide not to flip the front porch light on for whatever reason, there are other ways to be the light of Christ on Halloween. Do you enjoy serving others through your love for cooking? Create a small team of kitchen saints who focus on caring for young families on Halloween night. The less frazzled they are, the more spiritually prepared they will be when children and parents show up on their doorstep.

Another idea is to gather the kitchen saints and bake for first responders, as it's no secret that Halloween night is often one of their busiest nights of the year. Add a note of encouragement thanking them for their service.

Further Reading: How to Turn Dark Halloween Traditions into Something Good

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Alek Zotoff

jesus loves you stickers

9. Encourage through Stickers

Create fun, God-focused stickers for each candy bar. Stickers can be used on full-sized and mini bars of candy, a bag filled with candy, or lollipops, to name a few. Not crafty? No worries. Create them in Word, Canva, or a similar program using the template for Avery Address Labels (5160). Print on the matching Avery Address Labels (5160), then peel and stick. YouTube offers step-by-step instructions. Pre-made stickers are also available on Etsy, or consider teaming up with someone to help you with this specific task. Some ideas for stickers could include "God loves you," "God knows You by Name," and "God cares for you." The simpler, the better.

Further Reading: Scripture Tags for Halloween

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Nataliia Kheilo

woman smiling at trick or treating family on halloween handing out candy

10. Smile and Make Eye Contact

A genuine smile and eye contact are two of the most effortless gestures and effective ways to engage strangers. Many find smiling and making eye contact a natural response, but it's a struggle for others, so give thought to who will hand out candy on the porch.

Have at least two people available, one to engage with the children on the porch and another person or two sitting in lawn chairs to welcome the parents casually. Take it to another level by offering parents their own little stash of candy or individual packets of hand sanitizers to share with their doorbell-ringing children.

Bonus: Make stickers or tags to go with the parent's gifts, simply thanking them for bringing their children to your home and ending with a "God Bless!" It's a subtle way of letting them know your source of joy and hospitality.

Further Reading: 10 Ways to Show Christ’s Love to Trick-or-Treaters This Year

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Sara Monika

prayer hands against black background, ways to redeem halloween

A Prayer for Redeeming Halloween

Jesus,

You are the light that shines in the darkness, and no darkness overcomes You. No, not one. I thank You for those who desire to step out of their comfort zone, engage the lost, and share the Gospel through Word and deed on Halloween. Protect them spiritually, physically, and emotionally as they navigate what it means to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15,16). Bless them as they bless others, Lord Jesus. May Your light shine through everything they do and say for Your glory.

Amen.  

"Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)

Further Reading: 10 Prayers for Safety on Halloween

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Cathy Baker Salem Web Network ContributorCathy Baker is the author of Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotional Guide for the Beach and Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotional Guide for the Mountains. She writes from a tiny studio lovingly known as The Tiny House on the Hill in the Foothills of SC. As an author, Hope Writer, and Bible teacher for over twenty-five years, she encourages women to pause and embrace the seemingly small, mundane moments of their day for God’s glory. She invites you to join her in the tiny house where you’re always welcome to come in and take a seat.

Originally published Saturday, 07 October 2023.