When I was a kid, I loved Halloween. It was a lot lower-key in terms of decorations but was big on giving great candies. We usually dressed as cats or some other animal, except my brother, Doug. He was always a television set. We would each have a pillowcase in hand, and we would get a ton of candy. It was a lot of fun. 

 I did some reading about Halloween’s roots. For the most part, what it was in the past does not seem to inform the present. One thing that was clear, in the ancient or the Christian tradition it was a time to remember those who have passed before us. Another article spoke of a celebration of the harvest. I doubt any of this is top of anyone’s mind as kids rush door to door. It sure was not mine when I was a kid.

  Here are 3 things that troubles me about Halloween.

 1.     All the chocolate that is waiting for me to give out! They seem to call out to me no matter where they are stored. That is a problem! If I manage to leave every box unopened, well then all is well. Let’s just say one of the bags was opened and there are likely no Reece’s peanut butter cups left in that bag. 

  2. Very Frightening Decorations: In a time when the anxiety of children is at the highest level in my memory, house after house is decorated to scare the liver out of kids, at least where I live. I know it is all in “good fun”. I wonder honestly, has it gone too far? In some stores, they were even selling skeletons that talk and are about 10 to 20 feet high. Many of the front yards are now creepy-looking graveyards with skeletons clawing their way out of the ground. While creative and fun to some, it may be a little too terrifying to some kids?

 3.  Perhaps what is most penetrating for us is the way that those who practice evil take advantage of this day.  For years, it was a well-known fact that the witches of the city gathered in a bar at the intersection where our church is on this day to celebrate all that is evil.  We share nothing with them.  

 As Christians, we are given the privilege of choosing to cling to the Light of the world who is Jesus. John 8:12 “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” In this light, we find true hope and the One who has conquered the evil one, and that is something to celebrate!

 Dear Father,

 Thank you for Jesus who is the light of the world. He is the overcomer, and I am so thankful. Give me wisdom today to navigate all that this day holds. May Christ’s light shine through me. 

 In Jesus Name,

Amen