A Gentle Halloween Reflection on Love, Loss and Gratitude

Costumes. Kids hyped on sugar. Grown folks finally getting to wear their own costumes in public. Parties, lights, laughs — I've done it too, with family and friends.

But here's the part we overlooked:

Halloween didn't start as a "scary season."
It comes from All Hallows' Eve — the night before All Saints' Day (Nov 1).
"Hallow" = holy one.
So this was actually the church getting ready to honor the people of God who already went home.
Then Nov 2 came — a day to remember the departed.
In a lot of cultures, that turned into something really beautiful — candles, photos, food, stories. Not fear. Remembrance.

So yes — Halloween can be spooky and fun.
But it also goes deeper.

For some of us, this time of year brings people to mind — the ones we loved, the ones who prayed for us, the ones who should still be here. We feel the missing.

That's why I love the Christian angle on this week:

• it says death doesn't get the final word
• it says we're part of a bigger family — on earth and in heaven
• it says Jesus already conquered what we're scared of
• it says light always overcomes the darkness.

So you can pass out candy and still remember.
You can laugh and still honor.
You can enjoy the night and still hold the people who shaped you.

Because for Christians, Halloween is also this:
👉🏽 a reminder that Christ conquered death
👉🏽 a reminder that the faithful before us made it home
👉🏽 a reminder that the light in us is stronger than the dark around us

Prayer