What Would Jesus Say About Halloween?

Hey, Carpool Crew. I'm Pastor Justin, and I'm so glad you're here. All month long we've been talking about: what would Jesus say about the things that scare us? And today, it's October 31st, and depending on your family today might look really different. Maybe you're dressing up and going trick or treating. Maybe you're handing out candy at your door or headed to a fall festival at your church or school. Or maybe your family doesn't do anything Halloween related at all. That's totally fine. So here's the big question I want to answer today. What does God say about Halloween, and should we be afraid of it? Let's dig in together to our verse, Ephesians chapter 5, verse 8: 'For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.' So where did Halloween even come from? Long ago in Europe, there was a festival called Samhain. People believed that on this night, spirits roamed the earth. They lit fires, wore costumes, and tried to scare the spirits away. Later, when the church spread across Europe, Christians used October 31st as the evening before All Saints Day, a day to remember believers who had died. That's where the name All Hallows Eve, Halloween, comes from. Over time, especially in places like the US, Halloween became more about candy and costumes and fun, and less about spirits and trying to scare them away. But some parts still highlight things like fear, darkness, and death. That's not good. So what should we as Christians do with that? Well, the Bible never uses the word Halloween, but it talks a lot about light and darkness, truth and fear, good and evil. Ephesians 5:8 reminds us: you are the light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. So if Jesus were riding with you tonight, whether you're in a costume or just staying home watching a movie with your family, I think he'd say, 'Don't be afraid of today. You were made to shine. Walk in the light. Show my love to others, even today.' Let's say your family goes trick or treating. You're dressed up, walking door to door, and you come across a house with creepy decorations. You don't have to join in with the scary stuff. Or maybe your family doesn't do Halloween at all. I know a lot of families like that. They're awesome families. They stay home and they eat candy and watch a movie. It doesn't mean that they're missing out. They still have fun and they spend time together in ways that honor God too. What matters most isn't if you're wearing a costume or not, or how much candy you get. It's whether you're living as a child of the light. Being kind, joyful, and unafraid. Are you investing time with your family, or are you angry about what you're not getting to do? You know, I take my kids trick or treating and they would always be willing to go down an extra street and spend more time out, even when mom and dad are ready to go home. Here's how you can live this out on Halloween. First, talk to your parents about what your family believes and how you'll spend the day. And listen closely. Wherever you are, make sure you are shining the light of Jesus. Be kind to people. Have a big smile. Say please and thank you. Share joy with any house you go to. Halloween doesn't have to be a day of fear. It doesn't have to be something we're scared of. You're not in the darkness. You are a child of the Lord. You have his light shining in you. So whether you're in a costume, at a festival, a trunk or treat, or just staying home, having family time and watching a movie, remember no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And hey parents, do you want weekend devotionals too? Subscribe to Carpooling with Jesus on Apple Podcasts and unlock Saturday and Sunday devotionals and our brand new bedtime devotional Goodnight Psalms, which launches tomorrow, November 1st. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts. We'd love to have you. And before you go, answer this question together. What's one way you can walk in the light today, no matter what your family chooses to do on Halloween? I'll see you tomorrow or next Monday on Carpooling with Jesus.