Being good reformed Christians, who always read a Bible text in its context, perhaps a bit of context will help us treat tonight's "celebrations" a little differently.
Yes, tonight is Halloween, when children dress up and go door to door in search of a free sugar rush. But it is also a night of enormous opportunity, because it is also:
Reformation night!
October 31st was the day that Luther posted his famous 95 theses to the door of Wittenburg cathedral. An act which sparked the reformation and a return to the centrality of the Bible to the life and thinking of the church. No doubt he did it on that day because it was the eve of All Hallows day (Nov 1) with All Soul's day hot on its heels (Nov 2). Both days in the Catholic calendar when prayers for the dead, and the worshipping of saints was at its height. It was a night of protest for the Bible over tradition.
Suggestion: Why not nail your own theses to the door tonight in celebration, so that you can have the chance to share the Gospel message to your nocturnal visitors. John 8 v 12 might be a good place to start. As you kindly welcome your visitors and offer them a gift, read out the text to them, and tell them that there is now no fear of death and evil - because our saviour has already won over all of them when he died and rose again.
Jesus said: I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
Tim Thornborough is the founder and Publishing Director of The Good Book Company. He is series editor of Explore Bible-reading notes, the author of The Very Best Bible Stories series, and has contributed to many books published by The Good Book Company and others. Tim is married to Kathy, and they have three adult daughters.
