Hope and Light at Halloween

I’m not a fan of Halloween to be honest. It just doesn’t feel right - children in scary costumes, roaming the streets, surrounded by horror decorations, high on sugar. It can be a bit tricky though to avoid it especially on an estate. I grew up in the country side so it wasn’t really a thing when I was a child but its massive where I live now. Literally hundreds of people out even in the pouring rain and lots of decorations.

Thankfully there’s a great initiative called ‘Streets of Light’ (https://www.streetsoflight.co.uk) which

“seek to bring change & transformation to neighbourhoods & communities by creating window displays that convey a message of Light, Love & Hope as an alternative to Halloween.”

We have been taking part in this the past three years and its been a great opportunity to talk to the kids about faith and how Jesus is our light and hope. Its also great to show that we don’t have to go along with what everyone else does and can be different.

I don’t think I’m really that crafty but I’m quite proud of my 'Streets of Light' efforts. As an alternative to trick or treating we have gone window spotting and every window spotted gets a treat. We went out as a church group this year and began the evening singing ‘City on a hill’ which was just lovely.

I’ve been full of cold this week so everything has felt a bit of an effort but I attempted a little light party after school today. We played a few games and learnt a bible verse.

Psalm 27V1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?”

The kids danced around the living room to “Shine from the inside out” We even had a go at pumpkin carving. In the past couple of years we’ve made lego lighthouse and last year Harry and Lucy made a lighthouse to put outside the front door with sweets for people to take.

I think I’d always thought it best to hide away from Halloween but I’ve come round to the idea that getting out there and being the light is much better!