October 31st is an interesting day for the Church. How to engage positively with modern culture while still celebrating the Light? One approach is to subvert the festival to point in another direction altogether (i.e to Jesus).
One possibility is to run a Light Party – a celebration of all that is light, with music, games, and sweets. The idea being it’s even better than dressing up as a zombie and going trick or treating!
Another approach is to carve a ‘Christian’ pumpkin – as illustrated here. There is a little poem that goes with it that is a sort of prayer, but also explains the symbolism. I take no credit at all for this! (And apologies if your browser renders it in Comic Sans; I’ve just said “cursive”).
For I am a Christian pumpkin my symbols tell what’s right.
My nose is like the cross on which our Savior died
To set us free from sin we need no longer hide.
My mouth is like a fish the whole wide world to show
That Christians live in this house and love their Savior so!
The story starts at Christmas my eyes are like the star
That shone on Baby Jesus and wise men saw from far
My color it is orange just like the big bright sun
That rose on Easter Day along with Gods’ own Son.
And so on Halloween Let’s set our pumpkins out
And tell the trick or treaters What Gods’ love is all about!