Previously posted as:
If you are handing out candy this Halloween, BE the LIGHT of Jesus!
This is NOT a post about whether participating in Halloween is right or wrong. It is, however, one of my most “googled” posts, so I thought I would recycle it again this year. 🙂
Personally, our family does not “celebrate” Halloween {as in, rejoice over it and decorate for it}, HOWEVER, if we are going to be home on Halloween night, we USE it as an opportunity to share the Light and Love of Jesus to the children in our neighborhood.
In the most recent years, this year included, most of us will be at our church helping with whatever community ministry we are hosting. If we are not home for the entire “trick or treating time,” I plan on leaving a few “treats” {with a message about Jesus attached} on our front porch with an invitation to join us at FBC.
{IF someone steals all of the candy, then I’m already praying that God will speak mightily to the thief and will use the candy as a blessing in his/her life. 🙂 I don’t spend a lot of money on this candy if we aren’t going to be home, nor do I put it in a container that I value… just in case God needs to “speak mightily to a thief” that night. haha.}
Over the years, I’ve collected ideas and sayings that Christian families have used to Light up Halloween night as a Witnessing Opportunity for the glory of God.
Anytime we can take something of “the world” and shine the Light of Jesus upon it – that’s a good thing!
Below are some Light-shining ideas for Halloween…
Truth and Scripture attached to candy – Candy Message ideas
Choose one or more sayings below and attach them to each individual piece of candy. That’s the easiest part.
This is the important part: When the doorbell rings and a young one says, “Trick or Treat,”… take that moment to add in a little {gooby sounding, but true} phrase like,
“Hope you enjoy the candy… but we want you to know that Jesus is the real TREAT of our lives.”
They’ll probably just look at you and think you are weird. But when they get home and see that you’ve also attached a truth and Scripture verse to your candy, they will remember which home gave it. Only God knows what might happen next. They’ll remember your house as the one with the Message, and may one day come back to your door desperate for answers that only Jesus can give. You are being LIGHT on a dark night!
Dum Dums
If someone makes you feel like a Dum Dum, just remember this: Jesus loves YOU! To Jesus, you are NO Dum Dum! (Read John 3:16 in the Bible.)
Reeses Pieces
When life seems to fall to “Pieces,” turn to Jesus. He loves you and will help you. (Read Hebrews 13:6 in the Bible.)
Smarties
“Smarties” know that Jesus loves them and has a plan for their lives! Be a Smartie! (Read Jeremiah 29:11 in the Bible.)
{We used this one last year and it was a big hit! Most of the little children pulled the candy out of their bags as they walked away and I heard them either reading it aloud or giving it to their parents to read. Only the ones too old to be trick-or-treating anyway turned up their noses at it. Grin.}
Whoppers
If you have a “Whopper” of a decision to make, be sure to pray about it. (Read Proverbs 3:5-6 in the Bible.)
OR
If you’ve made a “Whopper” of a mistake in life, God will forgive you. Just ask Him. (Read Psalm 51:3 in the Bible.)
Crunch Bar
Whenever you are in a “Crunch,” call out to Jesus. He will help you. (Read Jeremiah 33:3 in the Bible.)
Life Savers
Jesus is the True “Life Saver.” (Read John 10:10 in the Bible.)
M & M’s
God’s plan for your life is that you grow up to be “Mighty” & “Marvelous.” He will help you. (Read Isaiah 55:8-9 in the Bible.)
Almond Joy
Jesus will put real “Joy” into your life. (Read Psalm 51:12 in the Bible.)
Hand out Gospel Tracts OR personal notes along with your Candy – Candy Ministry ideas
Place several pieces of Candy in a bag (or give out Juice boxes) with a creative, attention-grabbing note attached:
The above note was attached to a bag full of “good” candy – you know… the kind that parents like to steal from the stash ~ It was from the home of a beautiful Christian lady who happened to teach both of my children in Kindergarten. She was definitely a LIGHT for Jesus in everything she did.
OR attach a written note like this (with a Gospel tract stapled to it):
Welcome!
Thank you for coming to our home tonight. We are a Christian family, and do not celebrate Halloween, but we wanted to share this candy as a token of hospitality and friendship.
We choose not to celebrate Halloween because the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to stay away from any form of evil. However, we do celebrate and praise God for the beautiful fall season he has created. He shows His love for us in the diverse beauty of nature, and in the beauty He has given you.
God created each of us and has a wonderful purpose for each of our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 says,
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future, and a hope.”
We will never be totally happy and fulfilled apart from Jesus. If you would like to know more about Jesus filling that “empty spot” in your life, please read the enclosed booklet and call us if you have any questions.
We have prayed for each person who steps on our porch tonight, and we thank God for bringing you here.
In Jesus’ name,
The ______ Family
Your address
This note was given by my dear friend, Donna, the Mom in a Light-bearing family who lived in a neighborhood FULL of children. There weren’t many other Light-bearing families in their neighborhood, but everyone knew that the Merrit family loved the Lord, and loved their neighbors. God has used them in many ways as His Bright and Loving Light.
Whatever it is that you plan to do on Halloween, if you make it your mission to be a Light Bearer to those whose lives you encounter, God will work and will be glorified. 🙂
“And whatever you do
[no matter what it is] in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person,
giving praise to God the Father through Him.”
Col. 3:17 (Amp)
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
I want to be a light in the night. What fantastic ideas!
virginia says
I love some of these ideas. I don’t want to participate in anything evil so I don’t do anything Halloween related or that even gives the appearance that I am for Halloween. So I really appreciate these ideas to shine His light. I will pray on it and already thanked God for your post. : ) My God lead us away from evil & toward His light !
Love,
virginia
SmellingCoffee says
So true, Virginia. When we begin to look at this day as a ministry opportunity, it changes focus, doesn’t it? Many blessings to you and your household as you SHINE for Jesus. 🙂
Jennifer
Kim | Just For Clicks says
Jennifer, I love this post and do remember it. It is a wonderful challenge to use that night as a way to share the gospel and I am going to pray how I can incorporate these ideas. Love to you Friend!
SmellingCoffee says
Love to you too, Kim. It’s always fun to find new ways to shine for Jesus. You could let your children decide on a slogan to go with their favorite hand-out candy and make it a family project. 🙂
Grammy Blick says
Excellent!
SmellingCoffee says
Thank you, Grammy! 🙂