Giving Candy to Kids at our Door

We give candy to children who knock on our door on October 31st. I know that many in the Christian community will disagree with and probably judge us harshly for doing anything on that day, but to those who would, God bless you just the same. I fully understand the controversy over a pastor participating in any portion of the Halloween holiday. I will explain my very missional reasons for giving candy to our neighbors’ children.

It is important that I say, that I don’t celebrate All Hallows Eve, which is the original name for Halloween. It means the eve of a holy day. The origins of the holiday are directly connected to the November 1st catholic All Saints Day. We don’t dress up as ghouls and goblins, or carve scary faces on our produce. Halloween is a day celebrated by those who engage in wiccan religion. I must say, that knowing that doesn’t make me want to run and hide, but rather to be light in the midst of darkness.

If the children in my neighborhood came to my door to get candy on January 5th, we would give it then also. How often do we get an opportunity to touch and impact the lives of our children in our community? There is a trust that happens as you lock eyes with parents who bring their children to your door. We have found that it has been a step toward building relationships with them, and we are a part of the spiritual journeys of 2 families in our neighborhood. Their kids know and trust us; it had been a window into the lives of those who live around us.

We are also intentional about giving full-sized candy, no fun-sized here. If we truly want to make a difference, we must stand out. Okay, we do attach a scripture, because if you are going to get candy at our house, that’s what comes with it. It’s just a small touch to make sure that they know where we stand. Some people would have a problem with that, but our neighbors don’t mind it.

I think Christians can have greater impact on their communities by giving candy to the children rather than by sitting in the dark making a statement nobody will ever hear (we did that for many years). If you believe that a day can be intrinsically evil, then it seems to me that we should be the good in the midst of it. If it’s a dark holiday, then we should shine as light in it. Lest we forget that the scripture says, “You are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.” I appreciate if you don’t see this scripture the same way, but we do. That’s why we give candy to kids on October 31st.