What We Did for Halloween Last Year

As a family, we have been anti-Halloween from the get go. Up until last year, we've lived in places where we simply didn't have to partake or have anyone show up. With our move back to New England last year, God plopped us down in the middle of suburbia, complete with kids over the back fence and lots of "holiday minded" folks.

After a lot of prayer and some serious discussion, we decided to reclaim the day for what happened that riveted our Christian history: proclaim that Martin Luther rattled the church and started the Reformation in 1517.

Rich & the boys dressed up in their full-length brown ‘Jedi’ capes and went out as monks handing out “Happy Reformation Day” flyers to every house they stopped at. Their procedure was to say “Peace be with you” and then open their bags instead of the usual “Trick or Treat”. Upon filling, Rich would hand the host a flyer. They were well received overall. A few looked at them like they were from another planet, but most were delightfully pleased and even thanked them.

Text of the Card:

(on the front) Happy Reformation Day

(upon opening) On October 31st nearly 500 years ago in 1517, a simple man changed the world. Martin Luther posted his thesis on the door of the Roman Church. The Roman Church had been putting people to death for reading God’s word. This challenge to the authority of the dark ages, opened the door for a great awakening know as The Reformation. Once again the two witnesses of the word and the spirit were alive and well.

Ariana & I stayed at home and handed out candy with the same “Happy Reformation Day” card stapled to candy. It was different for sure. I think we had about 60 kids come through. We didn’t know how many to expect. Nobody frowned or said anything nasty. Rich had a couple really cute stories to tell. I'll share the funniest.

Apparently one gent came to the door, “Gooood Ev’ning” in the whole Alfred Hitchcock mode. The boys just stared at him a bit surprised. “Don’t you have anything to say?”

“Peace be with you!” was the boys’ pleasant reply. This time the guy was taken aback.

He responded with the same and said, “But what’s the magic word?”

“Please!” the boys chimed in unison.

Still dumb struck, the man continued, “Yes but what do you say on this night?” My poor children responded with the following…

“Please may we have some candy?” At this point Rich was dying with laughter underneath his hood and whispered “Trick or Treat” to ease the awkwardness of the situation.

Before they left to go out, Christopher (#3 who was 5 at the time) was being silly about what he was supposed to say and why. So being who we are, we insisted that the ONLY thing they say was “Peace be with you” or the Latin form Pax Vobiscum (or however it’s spelled). They listened, and minded their manners, very well I might add!

We have talked to them about “Trick or Treating” and the anti-Christ roots of Halloween over the years and why we haven’t gone before. Most importantly we shared why we did it this year - to bear witness to the Gospel (via baby steps). Our oldest with his usual enthusiasm thought this was an incredible way to witness for Jesus. #2 thought it was pretty cool too. It’s our prayer is that today, or one day, it will spark a flame and light a fire in the heart of someone who's lost their way.

For this year, I have the candy bagged already with cards that say the same thing. The boys aren't going to go out again this year, but we will stand ready as monks handing out a piece of history with a prayer of salvation for each child and adult who shows up on our front porch.