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What are you doing October 31st?
by Sharon Cox
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 In the church, many of us disagree on Halloween and how much emphasis we as Christians should be giving to alternative celebrations. Some of us want to ignore the day all together. Others go all out to provide festivals, parties or special outings for our kids. Some of us shun the costumes and dressing up while others allow Biblical characters, and this year firemen, policemen and the statue of liberty.
There are many aspects that we disagree on concerning this particular day. This year we should put our differences aside and all agree that October 31st is a great opportunity to impact the children in our communities.
In fact, many communities, in light of Anthrax scares have decided that sending children out on the streets is no longer safe. In our area, one local town has banned door-to-door trick or treat and suggested alternatives. Two out of three of those are events hosted by local churches and the town is referring people to these events in the newspapers and on the local evening news!
Many public schools around the country are using Halloween this year to get kids thinking about their futures. Rather than the usual ghosts and goblins, this Halloween elementary school students across the country are being encouraged to dress as What I Want to Be When I Grow Up to encourage kids to dream about their future.
So, churches, what are we doing this October 31st? Hopefully we’re opening our doors to all the kids in our neighborhoods. We could plan for a Patriotic theme this year. Or plan a theme like the one the school principals are promoting. What a wonderful way to help the kids focus on the positive and think about their future. And we can take it a step further and get kids focusing on their eternity!
If we can’t do anything in our churches this year, we can do something in our neighborhoods! Small groups in our churches can sponsor neighborhood events much like the neighborhood VBS. Games, food and a story time with a great object lesson that includes the Light of the world can change little lives. Think how many more children we can reach!
Or, if we do stay at home, we can turn on our porch lights and hand out hope with the treats. Two great sources for tracts are Chick Publications and ATS .
In such a time as this we can shine the light and hope of Jesus into a darkened world. Let’s not miss the opportunity!
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Sharon Cox is founder and director of For HIS Kidz. Sharon and her husband, Richard recently formed Power-Pak Assemblies to take quality assembly programs into schools across the country.
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