Let your light shine before others
Light Party and Light the Night
Halloween comes around every year, and it seems to be becoming more popular. For Christians, the response can be to avoid it or even hide behind the sofa! But I’ve started to wonder whether Halloween might actually be a gospel opportunity.
On our street, families walk around the neighbourhood, knocking on doors for sweets. When my children were little, some of the costumes frightened them, and we were never quite sure how Christians should get involved. We didn’t feel very comfortable about Halloween, but neither did we want to be rude or unwelcoming. So, we took a cautious approach. We left sweets on the doorstep with a little note. As the children have got older, we’ve started opening the door, offering a smile and some sweets until we run out!
One year, a family arrived at our door and, instead of asking for sweets, gave my children a little gift bag. It was such a lovely surprise and made me think: this is the one night of the year when our neighbours actually knock on our door. Could we take a step towards our community rather than away from it?
I’m also beginning to realise that Halloween is an opportunity to model faith to my children. I don’t want them to be afraid, because we have a better story.
We have Jesus – the Light of the World. His death and resurrection are greater, stronger and brighter than anything that might frighten us. As Christians, we have good news worth sharing. Perhaps Halloween gives us an unexpected opportunity to share some of that hope with those around us.
Light the Night - Saturday 31st October
So, this 31st October, we’re going to try something a little different.
Rather than sending our children out trick-or-treating, we’re going to encourage them to give to others. Don’t worry – they’ll still get plenty of sweets!
It won’t be anything complicated. We might put lights around the drive, have a sign in the window saying ‘Jesus is the Light’, and give out sweets, glow sticks and little gospel story bags. Perhaps we’ll even make some hot chocolate for tired parents! We’ll chat to our neighbours and simply be present and generous.
Could You Light the Night?
I wonder if anyone else would like to give it a go? Perhaps you could do this with another family if you don’t live in a location popular with trick-or-treaters.
There’s no expectation to be involved. Every community and family is different. You know what works best for your family and what you feel comfortable with. If you’d like some ideas or resources, please get in touch.
Light Party – Friday 30th October
Because some families may be involved in Light the Night in their own communities on Halloween, we are planning to host a church Light Party on Friday 30th October - an evening of crafts, dancing, games and lots of fun, with an opportunity for children to celebrate light, hope and Jesus together.
We Need Your Help!
For the Light Party to go ahead, we need a team of helpers. There are lots of ways to get involved – helping with crafts and games, decorating, welcoming families, serving refreshments, setting up, or simply being available on the day. If you’d like to help, please get in touch at lindsey@christchurchnewport.co.uk
Let’s Be Light
Halloween isn’t going away, so perhaps rather than hiding from it, we can remember that we don’t need to be afraid. We have a better story. We have Jesus.
Whether we Light the Night in our communities or help at the Light Party, let’s take the opportunity to celebrate Jesus and share His light with those around us.
Lindsey x
Halloween comes around every year, and it seems to be becoming more popular. For Christians, the response can be to avoid it or even hide behind the sofa! But I’ve started to wonder whether Halloween might actually be a gospel opportunity.
On our street, families walk around the neighbourhood, knocking on doors for sweets. When my children were little, some of the costumes frightened them, and we were never quite sure how Christians should get involved. We didn’t feel very comfortable about Halloween, but neither did we want to be rude or unwelcoming. So, we took a cautious approach. We left sweets on the doorstep with a little note. As the children have got older, we’ve started opening the door, offering a smile and some sweets until we run out!
One year, a family arrived at our door and, instead of asking for sweets, gave my children a little gift bag. It was such a lovely surprise and made me think: this is the one night of the year when our neighbours actually knock on our door. Could we take a step towards our community rather than away from it?
I’m also beginning to realise that Halloween is an opportunity to model faith to my children. I don’t want them to be afraid, because we have a better story.
We have Jesus – the Light of the World. His death and resurrection are greater, stronger and brighter than anything that might frighten us. As Christians, we have good news worth sharing. Perhaps Halloween gives us an unexpected opportunity to share some of that hope with those around us.
Light the Night - Saturday 31st October
So, this 31st October, we’re going to try something a little different.
Rather than sending our children out trick-or-treating, we’re going to encourage them to give to others. Don’t worry – they’ll still get plenty of sweets!
It won’t be anything complicated. We might put lights around the drive, have a sign in the window saying ‘Jesus is the Light’, and give out sweets, glow sticks and little gospel story bags. Perhaps we’ll even make some hot chocolate for tired parents! We’ll chat to our neighbours and simply be present and generous.
Could You Light the Night?
I wonder if anyone else would like to give it a go? Perhaps you could do this with another family if you don’t live in a location popular with trick-or-treaters.
There’s no expectation to be involved. Every community and family is different. You know what works best for your family and what you feel comfortable with. If you’d like some ideas or resources, please get in touch.
Light Party – Friday 30th October
Because some families may be involved in Light the Night in their own communities on Halloween, we are planning to host a church Light Party on Friday 30th October - an evening of crafts, dancing, games and lots of fun, with an opportunity for children to celebrate light, hope and Jesus together.
We Need Your Help!
For the Light Party to go ahead, we need a team of helpers. There are lots of ways to get involved – helping with crafts and games, decorating, welcoming families, serving refreshments, setting up, or simply being available on the day. If you’d like to help, please get in touch at lindsey@christchurchnewport.co.uk
Let’s Be Light
Halloween isn’t going away, so perhaps rather than hiding from it, we can remember that we don’t need to be afraid. We have a better story. We have Jesus.
Whether we Light the Night in our communities or help at the Light Party, let’s take the opportunity to celebrate Jesus and share His light with those around us.
Lindsey x
Posted in Church Blog
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Are you in Conquerors and Discoverers?IT'S JANUARYWomen's BreakfastEPIC, Teens and Senior TeensNew Song: This is the God we loveBoard Games back a-gameDoctrine of GodTEENS + WEEKEND AWAY = NOT TO BE MISSEDEarly shout out for CAP Money CourseThe Romans at LegacyWhat does it mean to be human?The Debrief: CreatedPrayer Team MeetingThe doctrine of GodWhat is ChurchSuite?Why Christchurch Kids?The Privilege of PrayerBoard and want to play a game?Women's Ministry Side by SideBrickworks closing earlier on a Tuesday
February
350+ daily donations neededSend in your questionsMissed the first session?Every lego helpsPraying over our evangelismMoney Coaching this weekMoving forwardThe Debrief: We Are EmotionalSide by SideThe Way Course returnsChurch Members MeetingWhat to read before the weekendA great knight outCAP needs your help
March
Romans 1:16Have you been baptised?Diving back into JoshuaEPIC: Faith, Fun and FriendshipChurch Members meeting this Wednesday"God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world"The Way Course is not far awayMarch dates for your diaryThe Way Course begins tonightDiving into JoshuaA prayer for mothersLegacy celebrates EasterMy Redeemer LivesFamily LEGO Easter TrailSide by side this SaturdayRejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstancesSend in your questions
April
May
Praying and praising togetherIf you're board this Wednesday?Did you miss an episode?Have you been baptised?Doctrine classes returnEden Gate launching Skills Training CentreWhat happens at EPIC?LEAD information eveningMurder She WroteHow do we practise spiritual gifts?No prayer meeting next weekEver heard of a story sack?Welsh Blood Service needs to fill their booksJune baptismsGame for a board game? Women's Book Study this SaturdayNew summer playlist for kidsGod's communicable perfections
June
Board Games this WednesdayDates for your June diaryBringing our requests before GodRaised to new life in JesusDonations at the doubleC.S Lewis on prayerA testimony from money coachingMeeting Sean EdwardsIs money coaching for me?Loving each other wellWednesday Warm pauses for summerBabies and Toddlers Teams EveningChurch Prayer MeetingDiscoverers Dinner DoThe penultimate sessionTeens take on TredegarA night of competition and strategyWhat do we do when our prayers seem unanswered?