Well it’s that time of year again when little ghosts and goblins come to your door trying to scare you. Mixed into this will be football players, firemen, princesses and your occasional screaming face along with an axe murderer or two. We happen to live on a street that is so into this celebration that realtors have to disclose what happens here on Halloween so there will be no surprises the first October after you buy a house on Oak Street. The police close off a 2-block stretch to traffic, which makes for a lot more peace of mind for parents. Believe me, the press of people is intense. We will purchase over $100 worth of candy and run out by 7:30.
We have heard that our neighbors are going to rig a disco ball this year over the street and hire a DJ to play music from their porch. It’s going to be a Masquerade Ball in the street.
Hopefully more Christians are getting over abdicating this holiday to the devil and running away from their homes. That’s one sure way to let him win. Remove your light from your house and your neighborhood.
I’m sure your street is not as intense as ours, but one thing is probably the same: the whole neighborhood will be out and about meeting neighbors and in some cases meeting people they have never spoken to until now. It would be a shame and I would go as far as to say a victory for the forces of darkness to allow the unfounded fears attached to Halloween to darken a home where Christ lives on the one night of the year the whole neighborhood is coming over.
John Fischer The Catch 
Hi John, A few years ago we moved to Meaford, for retirement we thought. The Church we attend here has gotten into “Trick or Trunk” and it has worked wonderfully. On Halloween night we take a number of cars and park them in a circle on the Church parking lot. With the trunks facing toward the centre of the circle, we have a outdoor fireplace in the centre and we decorate the cars that are parked there. Before we start we dedicate the evening to the Lord and then on to “meet” the guests. We have had an overwhelming response, people can not get over the fact that we would do that and how safe and inviting the atmosphere is. We just talk and have hot chocolate, coffee and hot dogs and great conversations over the course of the evening. Blessings on your venture into sharing with the neighbours. Dirk H
Dear John,
Halloween is one of my favorite times of year, because it is a time to remind us to keep the child alive inside of us. It is a also a time to come together with your neighbors and have a night of love, joy and laughter!
Bravo John! We should never waste an opportunity to share the love of Jesus! So what, when it comes to the evil one, what he’s trying to do, blah…blah…blah! In the end of all things, God wins! So let’s celebrate Him, share His love, and open our homes and hearts to those that come knocking whenever we get the chance!
Agreed!
Just purchased a re-hab house here in CT, planning to use the first floor for Christian community outreach. Was never sure what to do about Halloween as a Christian, but you inspired us. I just found a large, real “grim reaper” sickle in my basement. We are going to put it out on the porch (yeah, I know, I need to cover the blade so those darn lawyers don’t get me) with a sign “The reaper is real and He’s coming for you. Are you ready to meet your maker?” We plan on hanging out to hand out candy, hot cider and have a fire pit in the front yard as well.
Blessings to you all!
I read somewhere that Halloween is the typical child’s second favorite holiday. Whatever the reason, it only makes sense (if we are thinking like Jesus seemed to be) that we be where the people are. Cindy and I have had over 450 each of the nine years we have lived here. We sit in the front yard and smile and greet everyone, even the teenagers we think are too old for such. It isn’t about candy, it is about looking into their eyes and hoping they see Jesus in ours.
You’ve captured the spirit here.
My kids and I enjoyed dressing up and going to the other side of the lake where the sweetest elderly couple would make special treats for our kids… we never wanted to disappoint them (or ourselves). They made a big deal over the kids and enjoyed that the kids always genuinely wanted to see them too. We found out years later that they were Christians and their daughter was a missionary. We will always have fond memories of their giving hearts!!
I think you posted something like this last year and I loved it then too! We have a neighbor that is a widower. He’s very quiet yet kind when we see him. My kids and I take him cookies, meals, make him an Easter basket, Christmas cards…….good way for me to show my kids how to let your “light shine”. We’ve been here 10+ years and never has this man had his light on for Halloween…..last night was the first night! He was the first house we went to and he had a huge bowl of candy and a smile on his face. What a special thing to share with my kids!