10 Ways to Bring the Light Into Halloween
WELCOME to The Seedhead from Alex and Hannah at Dandelion Resourcing -
a weekly confidence booster to help you step into naturally
supernatural discipleship and mission!
In issue #164 of The Seedhead we’re looking at how to be the light of Jesus during the dark season of Halloween - and to do so in ways that are winsome and seriously advance the Kingdom of Light!
And then we’ll wrap up a with a reflection and a couple of photos from our family wedding last weekend ◡̈
Let’s dive in…
What other time is there when all your neighbors gladly beat a path to your front door - and are willing to stop and chat a little, and let you show kindness and generosity to them?
In spite of its dark origins and meaning, Halloween is nevertheless an opportunity to live as missionaries in our fallen culture.
In this festival that celebrates darkness, how can we be the light?
What does it look like to be good news to our neighbors at this time?
How can we be on the spiritual offensive in this season of increased spiritual warfare?
Most of the families in your community will be out and about and coming to your front door to talk with you!
This is a great time to chat with your neighbors. It might be for a few seconds while the kids grab some candy and then dash off to the next house, or for a little longer as their supervising adults linger, or as you intentionally make plans to hang with people from your street.
To help you seize the moment, we’ve created a list of 10 ideas you can run with. We’ve designed it so that not all of them require that you have school-age children yourself. Some are for trick-or-treat evening, some are for before then.
It’s vital as we do this to be praying that the presence and light of Jesus would be very evident as people engage with you and come to your home.
Whatever you do in this season, this is a time to be interceding for your friends and neighbors to encounter our Risen Lord Jesus and to be protected from the snares of the evil one.
10 Ways to Bring the Light Into Halloween
‘You’ve been booed!’ - We do this every year and it’s a great way to give instead of receive, and to counteract the prevailing culture. Here’s a site with a great template.
Prayer walk in your local community, both before and afterwards.
Host a pumpkin carving/ painting party. Have some refreshments, templates to draw around, a range of cutting implements, and invite families and friends. We do it in the garage because of the mess!
Drag your grill out front of your home on trick-or-treat night, and cook burgers and hot dogs to give away to people.
Organize a fancy dress costume party/ parade/ contest to let the kids show off and win prizes.
Run a treasure hunt/ quiz - Follow clues to different places in your neighborhood (e.g. “What decoration is on the front door of 234 Pine Ave”) and end up back at your house for prize giving.
Invite people to enjoy games, drinks, and hanging out around the fire pit before or after trick-or-treating.
Have a chili cook-off, with bags of Fritos into which chili is served at the start of the evening.
Serve hot chocolate/ mulled wine/ beer to the parents of trick or treaters (this will make you very popular with the adults!!)
Sit out front with friends or neighbors (especially those who don’t have young kids) while handing out candy.
Reflect and Act
As you read the list, ask the Lord which activity He wants you to do – or let it be a springboard into your own idea.
Then go and have fun!
P.S. It’s not too late to host something, even if it’s a last minute impromptu event – sometimes those are the best!
🔔 🍾 ❤️
WE CELEBRATED WELL last weekend, as our eldest son Joel married Bekah!
It was one of those epic and beautiful family days, when we saw a rich pay-off for A L L T H O S E hard parenting weeks, months, and years.
They make a wonderful couple - as you’ll see from the photos, it was such a happy day (and, God-willing they’re going to make some gorgeous babies!), and best of all both Joel and Bekah are deeply devoted to Jesus.
When Hannah and I collapsed into bed late that night, she said, “My heart is FULL!” God is so good.
And if you’re in the midst of a tough season personally, where it’s perseverance and faith over results and fruit, take heart from our story - good days will come.
Let us know what Halloween ideas you have done in the past, or are planning on doing this year. We’ll keep updating this list and share your experiences with others in the future!
AND DON’T FEAR! John was thinking of this spiritual battle when he wrote, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Blessings,
Alex + Hannah
ALEX AND HANNAH ABSALOM
P.S. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! Jesus is on the move!
