I realize that Halloween can have a dark side, and many Christians discourage even recognizing the day at all. But almost everything in this world can be dark, and our challenge is to be light in a dark world. So on Halloween, I recommend that those who believe Jesus is the light of the world make a concerted effort to shine even brighter. Don’t turn your porch lights out and sit inside and bemoan and howl about the depravity of the little ghouls and goblins begging for candy; they are precious children, excited about dressing up and going door to door, ringing doorbells and seeing what they get.

Dress up, buy extra good candy, light up your home and make it an inviting place for kids to come for candy. For those who decorate your homes, remember many of the children are very young and impressionable, so don’t scare them half to death. Instead show them how fun and loving the world can be by smiling at them and noticing their costumes, use kind and affirming words, and by all means, give them good treats.

Halloween has dark origins, but that doesn’t mean we have to be afraid. Shine bright!