Finding a christian alternative to Halloween has always been a challenge for us while raising our children. Until God convicted our hearts to host a Light Party!
To some this may sound like we’re celebrating Halloween but there is so much more spiritual depth to this concept.
Why A Christian Alternative To Halloween
What’s a Light Party? That’s what we’re asked every year when we invite others to join us on October 31st! You see, we take that day as an opportunity to BE the light on the darkest day of the year.
Now before I share how you can host a Light Party too, it’s important that I explain why we do it. You’re going to want to grab a notebook and pen because this is an in depth post about Halloween, the history, what the Bible says about it and our response as a believer.
History of Halloween
Halloween’s roots began 2,000 years ago from the Celts of Europe, who celebrated a pagan festival called Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”).
This was a celebration honoring the dead-that involved offering a sacrifice of crops and animals.
During the Samhain festival they worshipped the goddess Pomona (goddess of fruits). This is where the tradition of bobbing for apples came from.
They celebrated death and renewal of all things in life and nature.
They believed it was a night of supernatural encounters; where there was a fine line between the natural and supernatural world.
The festival had a religious significance, using bonfire to burn sacrifices of fruits, vegetables, grains and even animals as an offering to the gods.
They wore costumes to disguise themselves as a Spirit to commune with them.
The children and the poor went door to door begging for bread, cakes, nuts and fruits to prepare for winter, in exchange for prayers for their dead.
Treats were left outside the door for the spirits. As they believed if you didn’t have a treat, the spirit would cast a spell (trick) on you, your family or property.
Hence the term trick or treat!
Diversity of Cultures
Many cultures have some sort of Day of the Dead: Mexican Day of the Dead; Bolivia has Day of the Skulls; Chinese Ghost Festival.
It’s believed that when foreigners came to America, they brought their pagan customs with them.
When the Romans conquered the Celts around 43 AD, both Roman and Celtic festivals were combined.
At the time the Roman Catholic Church was not defined as the Catholic religion we know it today. As the Roman Catholic Church meant “the church (Christ Followers).”
Since the Roman Catholic Church (the Christians) wanted an alternative to the pagan celebration, around 600-800 AD Pope Boniface IV created All Saints Day.
This was a day to honor the dead Christian saints and martyrs. Later on, Pope Gregory III moved all Saints Day to Nov. 1st.
Halloween
The Roman Catholic Church not only saw nothing wrong with their alternative activity, they gave it a holy name, “All Saints’ Day.”
This is where the name, Halloween originated.
Nov. 1st was the day of All Saints’ Day celebration and the night before Oct 31, was called: “All Hallow Evening” (hallow means honor as holy).
Although, later it was shortened to “All Hallow’s Eve or All Hallow’s Even” and over time it became; “Halloween.”
Not too long after that, the Roman Catholic Church instituted All Soul Day on Nov. 2nd. A day dedicated to prayer for family and friends who had died.
Sounds good – but the truth is, they mixed pagan practices with their holy beliefs. The Bible not only tells us not to do that.
God even warned the people about partaking in pagan activities including idolatry and witchcraft. (Read 1 Corinthians 10:18-20, Exodus 20:4, Leviticus 26:1, Deuteronomy 18:9-12 , Romans 1)
“You shall make a distinction and recognize a difference between the holy and the common or unholy, and between the unclean and the clean;”
~ Leviticus 10:10 (AMPC)
Why is it, that different cultures from around the world have a day of celebrating death or the killing of an animal with a burnt offering or sacrifice?
Is it because it’s in their nature to do that?
Culture Of Sacrifices
Throughout scripture we see examples of sacrifices offered unto the Lord.
Before Christ, it was customary for the Jews to follow customs, one being The Jewish Holiday known as Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). However, it had a different purpose than those who honored the dead.
It’s purpose was for soul searching their own heart for repentance and offering a sacrifice for their sins to God.(Read Leviticus 23:27-28)
Adam and Eve wore dead animal skins for clothing after they sinned. (Read Genesis 3:21)
Noah and His Family offered a burnt sacrifice after the flood. (Read Genesis 11:1-9)
The difference between these sacrifices and the pagan sacrifices, is that these sacrifices were ordained by God, for God and only God!
Presenting burnt offerings of sacrifice was not Satan’s idea but God’s. The devil infiltrated the hearts and minds of people, to use them for his purposes as if he is worthy of honor.
So much so, the Roman Catholic Church saw it fit to combine pagan activities with their own Christian practices.
However, a minority group of Christians referred to as the Protestant Christians, began to celebrate Reformation Day on Oct.31st, in honor of Martin Luther (a German monk) who spearheaded the reformation of the 1500’s.
Reformation Day
Reformation Day was a protestant religious holiday. Not an alternative but a REPLACEMENT of the pagan festivals and All Saints Day; with the TRUTH of God’s Word.
Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the Wittenberg church in 1517.
His thesis challenged the Roman Catholic Church and scholars to go back to the gospel of salvation, understanding that by grace through faith alone, we are saved.
Not by the biblical religious practices or work-based practices of the Roman-Catholic Church. But because of Christ, we no longer need to offer burnt sacrifices.
(Read Ephesians 2:8-9)
Instead, Luther faced persecution from the Roman Catholic Church and they wanted him to recant his thesis. However, Luther’s response was this:
“I cannot choose but adhere to the Word of God, which has possession of my conscience; nor can I possibly, nor will I even make any recantation, since it is neither safe nor honest to act contrary to conscience! Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God! Amen.”~ Martin Luther
What a reflection of Romans 14:23 that one must live by their own conviction!
Luther broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, forming the revolution movement of the Christian Protestant Reformation, which led the spark of the free-church movement.
This was the catalyst for Luther to translate the Bible in German, so the common man and woman could read the Bible for themselves.
Halloween Is The Devil’s Day
Some Christians say Halloween is the devil’s day. However, God’s Word will not contradict itself!
The last time I read the Bible, the devil didn’t own the day. God made EVERY DAY!
“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” ~ Psalm 118:24 (KJV)
If this is the day the Lord has made, is God not God on Oct. 31st?
How then, are we as believers to respond?
What God Expects
Halloween traditions we know today, come from pagan festivals. And according to scripture, we’re NOT to participate in those kind of activities.
Therefore, we must read God’s Word to find out how we are to; respond, participate, or approach Halloween.
Psalms 24 tells us that EVERYTHING belongs to God. That means, the day belongs to God, and we belong to God.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” ~ Psalms 24:1 (NLT)
Therefore, to know how God expects us to respond to one day in particular (October 31st), we must know what God expects of us EVERYDAY; on His earth, as His people!
God’s Expects Us To Be…
1. DIFFERENT
When there’s an awareness of who we are in Christ (God’s chosen people) we will live differently; making it easy to distinguish who we are.
EVERYDAY, God expects us to stand out and be different, not odd. On Halloween, He expects us to be different too!
I got news for you, hiding makes us odd.
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. ~ 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)
Although we do not hide, we must be cautious not to mix unholy things with holy things.
Meaning, we don’t: worship the dead, participate in evil, wicked things, seek fortune tellers, or psychics, etc.
You want to honor the dead? Have communion and remember the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for your eternal salvation, saving you from Hell.
2. The LIGHT
How can we be the LIGHT if we are hiding in our homes; with the lights out, not answering the door?
We are to BE the light, not hiding in the dark.
Matthew 5:13 -16 in The Message translation says:
13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16 “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.
If we are God’s chosen people, a light on a hill, then we have TO GO into the dark places to SHINE.
We don’t go to the dark and act like the dark. When we do that, we burn out our candle. And people can’t tell who is holy from unholy.
The apostles didn’t mix unholy things with holy things, but they were informed.
Likewise, we have to know and be able to discern in the Spirit what we should and shouldn’t do. (Read Acts 8:9-25 and Acts 13:6-10)
The truth is God expects us to be…
3. Soul Catchers
God does not want us praying for the dead. He wants us to win souls to Christ!
October 31st is the best day to evangelize because you don’t have to go to the people. The people are coming to you!
Jesus tells us to pray for more labourers who will go after the Harvest. (Matthew 9)
When we hide out on Halloween, we miss the opportunity to reap a Harvest for Christ.
“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”~ Matthew 9:37-38 (KJV)
When we engage with the sole purpose of BEING THE LIGHT, we stand out differently, as a laborer seeking to reap a harvest.
People need hope. People need our Jesus.
We know there will be parents walking around; hopeless, depressed, in need of healing, or having financial challenges.
Can you imagine that parent walking around with their children, feeling hopeless? But they come upon a house with people willing to pray for them?
The children in your neighborhood are not coming to you with malice, they just want some free candy.
So give them some and sow a seed. Beat the devil at his own game.
Soul winning doesn’t happen when we’re doing what people are doing. We have to be able to discern in the Spirit. Go after the people.
BUT DON’T BE THE PEOPLE!
God’s last but most important expectation for us is for us to pray.
4. Pray
These pagan activities on Halloween are real. Satan has affected the hearts and minds of people to practice unholy things.
On Halloween there is a heightened degree of demonic spirits, so we MUST fight this battle in the Spirit.
We must put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18) and spend time in prayer, the days leading up to and on Halloween.
Pray over the earth, rebuking demonic things that take place.
Pray for protection of; God’s people, our homes, family, friends, the neighborhood, churches, and first responders (those who answer the call to night vandalism, murders, accidents, etc.).
Most importantly be on guard. Don’t think you’re going into the dark to reap a harvest for Christ, and the devil isn’t going to try to come against you for wreaking havoc on his parade.
So stay prayed up!
Our Response To Halloween
How can we respond on Halloween as the light?
Well it’s not by putting a sign out that says; “no candy here Jesus is your treat.” Oh my, can any of you relate?
My mama did this when I was a kid, and she already knows how I feel about that. I tell her all the time; “mama you did the best you knew to do at the time.”
But now that I have come to know God for myself, and understand how much God loved this world so much, my conviction TO BE the light hit me to my core.
I’m not talking about participating like the world.
What I’m talking about is creating a complete Christian Alternative to Halloween with an environment to worship God, being the light, and influencing the world with God’s love.
I’m talking about hosting a LIGHT PARTY!
Christian Alternative To Halloween
While my conviction grew about being the Light, I asked God to show me what our family could do instead of turning off our lights and not answering the door.
How many of you know, when you seek God for wisdom He will give it to you?
God placed on our heart’s to host what we call a Light Party. While this may look different for every family the concept is the same.
Some Christians would argue and say; “I’m not going to let those spirits in my house.”
And I would say, I’m not afraid to open the door. We plead the blood of Jesus over our house, our family, and take an opportunity to bless the kids.
The Bible tells us that a gift makes a way. So we were determined to make our gift different. Our gift would shine God’s light and point people to Christ.
“Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!”
~ Proverbs 18:16 (NLT)
We don’t just give them candy, we include a tract, a church invite card, or even written notes that says God loves you.
Light Party Results
The first year we did this, it was just our family. We had all the lights on in the house, played Gospel jams, and handed out candy with hand written notes.
The following year, we invited friends and family, made it a party in our garage, and hung white lights outside our house.
We did this with the intent of being the brightest house on the block; not the darkest and scariest!
We heard over and over: “you guys must be believers.” Why would they say that?
Because we stood out different. We stood out as the light!
Families congregated in our driveway because it was refreshing from the spookiness happening around them. Our home offered light, uplifting music and the love of God!!!
Over the years we’ve stepped up our game by offering a photo booth for families and hot chocolate to the parents. This was strategic, as we placed a chalkboard sign near the hot chocolate and photo booth that said; need prayer?
That chalk board sign was probably the most memorable moment. A parent told us; “I don’t have a prayer right now, but when I do I know what house to come to!”
You see, when we acknowledge THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE AND CHOOSE TO REJOICE IN IT, we steal any power Satan thinks he has on that day.
Light Party Checklist
If you’re creative juices are flowing and you’re thinking about hosting a Light Party, we want to help you be successful. Use our Light Party Checklist by filling out the form below! But before you do I have a word of caution.
Christian Alternative To Halloween Caution
If you’re feeling convicted to host a Light Party this year, as exciting as it is, (and believe it is) I want to encourage you to be mindful not to judge others in their conviction about Halloween. How you choose to be the Light is up to you. However, you shouldn’t judge those who respond to Halloween differently.
Remember Martin Luther stood by his conviction of what Christ placed on His heart. Therefore, each of us has to do what God convicts us to do.
“It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.”
~ 1 Peter 2:15 (NLT)
If you decided to stay home on Halloween and not open the door, you should do that. However, if you’re convicted to be the light, you should do that.
Since we’re all apart of the same Body of Christ, let’s honor and respect each other’s conviction in our response to Halloween.
In the End
Seek God for wisdom, on how you can be the light, making it unique to you and your family; not mixing unholy with holy things.
Ask God how He can use you to point others to Christ, then do it; and let your light shine before men.
PS…Want to host a Light Party? Download The Light Kit Checklist today by filling out the form below!
~ Timberley Gray
Such a thorough post! Thank you for giving the background and history…I love your creativity!
Thank you Lisa. This is something we are very passionate about so we have lots to say about it! Thank you for stopping by to read. ~ Blessings
Mahalo Timberley I never knew the history of Halloween, this was very well written and explained. I will choose to hold a Light Party moving forward in Jesus name!
Hello! So happy to hear it resonated with your heart. We have been holding a Light Party for over a decade and have been know to be the house of prayer, the hot chocolate house, the happy house, the house with worship jams, whatever they want to call it, we know who we are in Christ. Bless you brother!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea. And I’m not surprised at all that you’ve taken something so simple and turned it into an expression of love for your neighbors and Jesus.
Thank you Diona for stopping by to read. ~ Blessings
Thank you for encouraging and challenging others to seek God as to what to do for Halloween. Jesus welcomes all people at any given day. Our world is hurting and it’s up to us Christ followers to represent Jesus.
Let’s “light it up”!!!!
Yes sister girl let’s LIGHT IT UP! ~ Blessings
A great example of stepping up and doing something to change the world instead of complaining about things the way things are! Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you Kathi for stopping by to read. ~ Blessings
Love the history behind this post! Let your light shine!!!
Thank you Liz, yes studying the history was very interesting to me. Especially to see how the devil tries to take credit and manipulate God’s work. And at the end of the day, the devil gets nothing. ~ Blessings
LOVED this post! It is so informative and practical! Thank you for addressing a controversial topic so thoroughly!
Thank you Ashley for those kind words. My prayer is that by sharing what God placed on our hearts it would inspire others to seek God as to what He would have them do to shine HIS light. ~ Blessings
I teach in a Christian school. This day always brings up a battle. Some celebrate…some don’t. I think I will encourage them to BE the light on that day regardless! #graceandtruth
Tracy thanks for stopping by, I am sure that is hard as a school teacher and you are right encouraging them to BE the light is the best thing we can do. ~ Blessings
I love your party idea. I may have to give this some thought! laurensparks.net
Thank you Lauren. Yes, please do give it some thought and no matter how you do it we would love to know how it turns out! ~ Blessings
I love this idea. It’s hard to get my kids to understand why we don’t go out trick or treating – even when they get what the history is… SO we usually hand out glow sticks and chat with the neighbors. This would be a fun thing to try this year though! So exciting to know others feel the same!
Yes! We get excited when we see others catch the vision and choose to BE THE LIGHT! Would love to see pictures of your light party. Thank you for stopping by to read. ~ Timberley
Thank you so much for this detailed account of the origins of Halloween, and for being the light to those around you.
Bless you Marva. Thank you for stopping by to read. ~ Timberley
Wow! This is great. I’m gonna test the waters to see who is interested in joining me to host. Let’s shine our light.
Praise God! It will be such a blessing to you and your family. Every year we are amazed at what God does when we simply demonstrate in His love to those who are lost. Please keep us posted on how it goes we’d love to hear and / or see pictures. ~ Timberley
I loved this article. I really like the idea of being the brightest light on the darkest of days. I think that is such a good reason to have a light party on this day. So good I found the share to facebook button.
Oh bless you Jess – thank you for stopping by to read, and for sharing! ~ Blessings
Loved this post!
I am so glad God lead me to your blog! This is the most common sense approach I have ever heard or read! Thank you for sharing with us.
Praise God and thank you for stopping by to read.
My daughter has been wanting to do “something” on that day the past few years because she feels left out of the fun. That’s her personality, she just wants to have a good time with friends buy she also doesn’t want to go against God.
We just moved from the country to a neighborhood and I have been thinking of a way to Be The Light this year so she could have fun but not compromise our convictions. This is a new perspective on how to handle this and we will be planning a Light Party this year!
Oh this blesses my heart today! I know she will have fun in the planning and hosting. I would love to hear how it goes. ~ Blessings
I’ll see you tomorrow, at the brightest house on the block!
Great idea. I have passed out tracks every since I can remember. As a child, my mom would take us trick-or-treating and she would witness. I remember being upset because she would spend too much time at one house which would impact the amount of candy we were get. Little did I know she was building up her spiritual rewards
This post made me cry happy tears while I was reading it. For several years now since before my kids were born (now 5,5,&6) I’ve felt a conviction in my heart about Halloween without the words to fully explain or defend the way I felt. The only exception I could think of to say to my kids was that we didn’t celebrate Halloween because it makes Gods heart sad and doesn’t bring Him honor. An explanation good enough for young children but it was even more difficult trying to explain to my adult friends and even to my husband who loves the Lord. I grew up in a Christian home that attended fall festivals, but avoided Halloween night itself by going to a movie instead. Lights off at home. Not accepting trick or treaters.
But even this didn’t feel right to do for my family now as an adult.
Every year it’s been a struggle. Today is October 31st and I was desperate to end this cycle. So I did want anyone does who’s looking for Halloween alternatives… I went to Pinterest! Haha and I found a link to your post. I cannot tell you how much it meant to me. We live in a neighborhood where no one comes to our house, so, even though it’s literally the day of, I took the kids to the store, picked out candy and treat bags, printed out the “You Are Loved”, “Be the light” and “You have a purpose” cards, and my kids and I sat there stuffing bags together as I explained to them how we can use tonight as an opportunity to tell others about Jesus. We plan to hand them out to kids from our golf cart while worship music is playing. Did I mention I decorated the cart with bright white lights?! Well I did.
It’s the best I can do THIS year… BUT, next year…. I have a plan!! A purpose! A ministry opportunity!! And I can not wait!
My 6 year old said while stuffing bags; “mom, this is DEFINITELY got to be a new family tradition! I’m gonna tell people who don’t have Jesus in their hearts who He is.”.
Thank you.
Oh my goodness I have chills! Thank you sweet sister for sharing! I love the way you made it work with what you had right now! The golf cart idea with the lights – so creative. And now you’ve got a whole year to pray about how you can shine God’s light next year. Praise God for always giving us what we need, when we need it. And thank you for sharing it truly blessed me! ~ Timberley