Disclaimer: This post does not attempt to address whether or not Christians can or should celebrate Halloween.

Growing up, I had three favorite holidays: Christmas, Easter, and Halloween. Why did I love these particular holidays? Was it because of the spiritual meaning behind them? No. My family was not religious. But, who doesn’t like to celebrate? Who doesn’t like candy or presents? In my child’s mind, what could be better than putting on a costume and traipsing through the neighborhood, pillowcase in hand, hoping to fill it with a mountain of candy?

When I thought about the idea of trick-or-treating, I tried to imagine what God would want to say. He gave me two specific scriptures to consider. We’ll look at one today and one on Monday.

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

James‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If I were to knock on God’s door, I doubt he would throw candy into my pillowcase. For a moment, let’s cast candy as the shifting shadow. Candy is sweet and delicious. Our tastebuds tell our brains, “This is good.” We crave it’s taste and are tempted to eat more. But is it good? The taste is deceptive, it’s promise of goodness is empty, there is no lasting value. Gifts like these are more trick than treat.

What would await us at God’s door? I imagine he might fill my pillowcase with fruit—like love, joy, and peace. The fruits of the Spirit are examples of his good gifts. His gifts sustain and nurture. They have eternal value and connect us together.

God’s treats are worth craving and his gifts are worth celebrating.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy