For many years Halloween remained a bit of a non-event in South Africa. The high walls and fences, guard dogs and armed response around many properties probably kept parents from allowing their children to go ‘trick or treating’. The scary costumes, big pumpkins and Halloween parties have however become wildly popular in recent years and our nine-year-old twins are wanting to know what Halloween is. Why do people observe it? and why our family doesn’t?

As Christians, how should we respond to this growing interest in Halloween, and what can I teach my children?

Three possible ways you can respond to Halloween:

  • Make sure you’re out of town on Halloween. If you do stay at home, put the lights off, close the curtains and pretend you’re not home. Steer clear of all conversations about Halloween and refuse to get into a discussion about it – just ignore it.
  • It’s just a bit of harmless fun after all so, embrace what can be a fun time for the whole family and community. As parents, chat to neighbours. Let the children dress up and collect treats, go to Halloween parties and tell scary stories.
  • Rather than running away or ignoring the darkness of Halloween, how about bringing the light of Jesus into the darkness? Recognise that there are pagan connections to Halloween but God can use any circumstance or festival to His glory. Engage with the festivities by generously giving the biggest and best treats to any children who do come ‘trick or treating’ to your doorstep. Give them an encouraging verse or Christian booklet and talk about the hope that Jesus gives us in death and how we need not fear it.

I pray for wisdom for you as you decide how you will view Halloween this year. Spend time together as a family, sharing your thoughts about Halloween and what God’s Word says about evil spirits, death and the life we have in Christ.

Be clear about why you’ve decided on a particular course of action around Halloween – the Bible says we need to be able to give a reason for the hope we have (1 Peter 3:15).

Be intentional  in your faith and have the courage of your convictions as you engage with your community this season, and most importantly; be humble and gracious as you allow the love of Jesus to shine through you in a practical way.