#1: Don't Follow our Culture’s Trend Thoughtlessly

Whatever you think about the holiday, we have to be people who “understand the times.” Increasingly, those times are dark - and they are not dark by accident. Our culture sadly has been embracing evil and doing this self-consciously. Today's Halloween costumes, parties, and customs have become increasingly vile, violent, and sexually dark. Christians are called in Romans 13 to walk in the light:

Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Anything that we do on any holiday (or any regular day, for that matter!) needs to fit these biblical principles.

#2: Think Intentionally, Act Intentionally, and Talk Intentionally with our Children

First, we need to take some time to think through what we are going to do. Are we going to trick or treat? Are we going to have candy for the neighborhood kids when they come by? Are we going to go to our basements and pretend not to be at home? Think first, then act.

Look at some Christian leaders that you trust and see if their advice fits the Bible and what actually happened in church history. If you search for a while you will find that different teachers—even in the same denomination—will have radically different opinions. Here are two opinions from the Reformation Tradition from R.C. Sproul Jr. and James Jordan. Think first. Consider talking with your own pastor beforehand.

Next, figure out a plan of action and act intentionally.

If you are going to celebrate Halloween, know your reasons and connect them to scripture and church history. If you are dressing up in costumes because believers did so in the past to mock the forces of darkness, great! If you are dressing up to fit in with the darkness in our culture, yuck! Your church might have a harvest festival or Reformation Day event. You might go there.

Again, be intentional. Do what God is calling you to do. Make your plan and be content with being fully convinced in your own mind, as Romans 14 says, “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” 

Finally, talk intentionally with your children. Help them understand why you are doing what you are doing (or not doing!). If you are not celebrating, talk to them about why. If you are celebrating Halloween, you need to talk with your children about why you think it fits with your family's faith. Values and morals are passed on through intentional conversations. This is a great opportunity for one!

#3: Be Gracious…Whatever You Do

Finally, be gracious. Others might do something different than you. That is fine. Scholars and theologians disagree, and some people are just going to go with the flow. Help your child see how you are going to be gracious. This might involve giving candy to others—even if you are not celebrating—or letting your neighbors know beforehand that you aren’t celebrating (you might even give them some cookies when you ask them not to make your home a stop along their search for treats).

Christian community and the love of Christ requires thoughtfulness and charity. This charity shines most brightly when we disagree, but find ways to love each other anyway. It is this love that is going to eventually overthrow all darkness, death, and everything that won’t come into the light.

photo taken by: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/