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Christians and Halloween

If you plan on handing out CANDY this Halloween…

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.

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

Smarties candy Halloween Idea

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)

Jennfer

SCTV – Halloween and Jesus

We had so much fun making this episode!  My friend, Patsy and my special little friend, Samantha, joined me and we carved a pumpkin while reading Liz Curtis Higgs’ book, The Pumpkin Patch Parable.

We didn’t tell Samantha that we were filming.  I just asked her if she wanted to come carve a pumpkin with Mrs. Patsy and me.  She was so excited, but couldn’t quite figure out why I kept talking to the camera instead of her.  haha!

SmellingCoffee TV. SmellingCoffee.com 10-26-14

Smelling Coffee TV - Control Room. SmellingCoffee.com

“Along with special guests,Patsy Reese and 3 year-old Samantha, we talk about some practical ways to take a holiday centered around ghosts and goblins and use it to share the Light and Love of Jesus Christ.”

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

1st aired: 10-26-14
Smelling Coffee Today TV is a Ministry of First Baptist Church Cleveland, MS (UnderTheSteeple.com) and SmellingCoffee.com.

 

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What would you have said? How can Christians be Lights when they go to public schools?

I may be opening a huge can of worms – but I thought it would be good to see if you have some other ideas and/or insight into what I’ve shared below.

I received this comment on the post, If You Plan On Handing Out Candy This Halloween, BE the Light of Jesus (also, basically the same post as this year’s Light-Up Halloween & BE the Light of Jesus). As I was praying through and typing my response to this sweet mom, I felt the Lord lead me to bump Friday’s blog post and post my response instead. I’d love to hear from you. What would you have said?

 

Thank you so much for these great ideas, however my daughter goes to public school Pre-k. Would you be able to give me any ideas for the light of Christ to Shine. Thank you, be blessed!!!

 

This Light-Loving mom seems to be under the impression that she can’t use the ideas in the Light-Up Halloween posts at her daughter’s school because her daughter attends a public school. Many people think this way. Below is how the Lord led me to reply (of course, I’ve edited it a bit since then).

 

Thanks for your comment. I am so glad that you want the Light of Christ to shine through your daughter in her public school. And the good news is that you can use any of these candy ideas and she can hand them out. Legally. Anything handed out from a student – not from the school, but from a student – is fair game and completely legal. SO… let your daughter choose a candy, attach a saying and verse or verse reference to it, and encourage her to shine for Jesus as she shares her treats.

You can also give little treats and small happies that include an encouraging word of Scripture to the teachers and office staff.

Though the ACLU and other anti-Christian organizations have used fear, misinformation, and intimidation to make Christians families think that they have no way to express their Christian voices, in reality, the public schools can not legally stop your daughter from giving out candy with sayings about God and Jesus on them. They may try – and they may make your daughter put her candy away for the remainder of the day, and tell you that there needs to be separation of church and state… but they are either well-meaning and misinformed, or they are hoping to scare you into backing down and keeping quiet.

Here’s the reality: If the school allows treats to be shared, and if your treat is within the parameters of the school’s guidelines, then it can be shared, whether or not it has a Bible verse on it. IF the school has a guideline that prohibits scripture verses or words about God/Jesus to be used by students, then please contact the Alliance Defending Freedom immediately. This violates the Constitution.

The first amendment to the Constitution gives all citizens the right to free speech. Just as there will be those students who (because of their 1st Amendment rights) will hand out Halloween treats with witches and ghosts on them, there can also be students who (because of their 1st Amendment rights) can hand out treats with Bible verses attached.

Christians do not have to “hide their lights” while in the midst of the public school system. In fact, that is exactly opposite of what Jesus said that we are to do. We are supposed to let our lights shine… to live and act and react and speak in such a way that others will see our “good works” (the kindness we give, the encouraging words we say and write, the support of the school that we give, the faithfulness with which we keep our words and live our lives) and that will cause them to glorify our Father who is in Heaven.

If your daughter so desires, she is free to carry her Bible to school with her to read anytime she has un-guided reading time.

You are free {and I would encourage you to do so} to send her teachers notes telling them that you are praying for them. Volunteer at the school and always season your words with Grace. Smile. Lend a helping hand. Be a hard worker. And when asked about the joy within you, answer and tell about the hope that you have through Jesus Christ.

When you learn of a need, if it is within your power to fill it, then do what you can, and do it in the Name of Jesus. When a friend or acquaintance shares a burden with you… wherever you are…whether you are in the aisle of a grocery store or the hallway of a school… offer to say a quick prayer at that very moment. If time doesn’t allow, at least promise to pray for her/him, then follow up with the person at a later date.

It’s the little things that we do ~ the little acts of kindness that open the door for the Light of Jesus to shine through us. But being good and kind isn’t always enough. People need to know the SOURCE of the kindness… and they will only know that if you tell them.

I guarantee you this: If you ask the Lord what YOU and YOUR FAMILY can do to Shine for Jesus in your public school, as well as in other ares of your lives, He will make it known to you. James 1:5 promises!

And if, by some chance, a teacher or administrator tries to stop your daughter from shining the Light of Jesus, I have experience with an excellent Christian legal team whose primary purpose is to defend Christians doing exactly that. (The Alliance Defending Freedom. AllianceDefendingFreedom.org) Our family has been through this before. 😉 You can read about it here and here.

Thanks for this question. As I am typing this reply, I sense the Lord leading me to use this as my Friday’s blog post. Hope you don’t mind. I’ll withhold your name.

Many blessings of the Lord upon you and your daughter. I will pray for you both as you seek to shine the Light of the Savior into the world in which He has placed you. 🙂

 

So tell me… what would you have said? How are YOU being a LIGHT of Jesus to the world in which you dwell?

“Here’s another way to put it:

You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.

God is not a secret to be kept.

We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.

If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?

I’m putting you on a light stand.

Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!

Keep open house;

be generous with your lives.

By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16, The Message

Shine on, Beautiful Lights, shine on~ 🙂

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