Preview

Choosing to shine

Justin Reeves invites us to consider how we interact with Hallowe’en how

AS the nights draw in and the days get shorter, the minds of many people turn to Hallowe’en and the various traditions that go with it. When I think back to my schooldays, carving jack-o’-lanterns from swedes – I don’t remember carving pumpkins being a thing back then – drawing caricatures of witches flying on broomsticks and singing ‘Halloween’s Coming’ were about as far as ‘celebrating’ Hallowe’en went.

How things have changed. With at least one aisle in a typical supermarket festooned with orange and black decorations and costumes for weeks before 31 October, you don’t need me to remind you that Hallowe’en is big business these days. Around £419 million was spent on Hallowe’en in the UK in 2018.

For some, all it means is an irritating evening of being disturbed by trick-ortreaters. For others, it’s seen as dabbling with the thin end of a dark and sinister wedge. For many years I’d turn off the lights at the front of the house, retreat to a back room and ignore the calls of the trick-or-treaters. Even now, our family chooses not to actively participate in this particular night of revelry.

That being said, I’ve found my attitude towards Hallowe’en has mellowed in recent years. Don’t worry, I’m not about to try to persuade anyone that it’s OK to dress in ghoulish costumes and go door-to-door threatening to play pranks on anyone who refuses to stump up a handsome ransom of sweeties. However, Hallowe’en, for all its flaws, does present an opportunity for Christians to engage with those who do choose to take part in what they consider a bit of harmless fun.

That’s why for several years now the issue of Kids Alive! published on the date nearest to Hallowe’en has become our Light issue. It’s not a ‘special’ in the way that our Christmas issue is, but we

do try to engage with our readers – many of whom are not from Christian homes – and encourage them to think about the way they interact with this festival.

As the issue’s theme suggests, we focus on light, life and goodness rather than darkness, death and evil. We choose to highlight an appropriate Bible passage, such as Matthew 5:14–16: ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.’

We explore Hallowe’en’s history and, for those who just can’t resist joining in more traditional activities, we offer advice on how to trick or treat safely. We include craft activities, such as carving a light lantern that bears a positive word or image rather than a scary jack-o’-lantern. And we always encourage our readers to participate in positive alternatives to Hallowe’en, such as Light Parties.

Over the years I’ve had a number of conversations with Christian friends who, while they wouldn’t allow their children to attend a Hallowe’en party or go trick or treating, relish the opportunity to share their faith with neighbours as their communities come alive with families making their way from house to house.

Last year, I was interested to learn how many people handed out bundles of sweets wrapped in Bible verses. th our whom an urage the ith eme on You are the light built on a hill Neither do people

And, of course, I was pleased to see through social media – as well as from emails and phone calls to our office – how many people stockpiled back issues of Kids Alive! or ordered extra copies of our Light issue to hand out to trick-or-treaters or children at Light Parties.

One last thought from my daughter, who was just four years old at the time of this conversation: ‘Next Hallowe’en, instead of trick or treating we should visit our neighbours and offer them a treat by doing something nice for them.’ What will you do on 31 October? Will you let the darkness beat you and retreat to a back room? Or will you choose to shine and take the opportunity to engage with others in your community?

O The Light issue of Kids Alive!, dated 26 October, is available to order through SP&S by emailing subscriptions@satcol.org or calling 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1). The last date for orders is 11 October