Growing up, Halloween wasn’t really a thing in the small town where I lived. October came and went without much fuss — no spooky decorations, no children in costumes, no candy trails across the neighborhood.
But I still remember being eight years old, standing in our little corner grocery store, staring at the glowing jack-o’-lantern that was one of the prizes in their lucky draw. I didn’t know it had anything to do with Halloween — I just thought it was magical. Its soft orange light seemed to hold a secret, and I wanted it more than anything.
It was innocent curiosity — I just thought the pumpkin looked fun. I had no idea that the smiling pumpkin, glowing so warmly in the shop window, was part of something far less innocent — a holiday that celebrates things far darker than I could have imagined.
Fast forward a few decades, and Halloween has become a global phenomenon. Every October, streets, screens, storefronts, and social media fill with costumes, haunted attractions, and endless “spooky season” trends. Even the small town where I grew up — the one that once passed October by without notice — now joins in the celebration, with shops selling decorations and children taking part in Halloween costume competitions.
The Night That Changed How I Saw Halloween
Like many others, I used to think Halloween was just a fun holiday — a chance for kids to dress up, eat candy, and laugh at the silliness. I didn’t see the harm.
But that changed a few years ago.
In 2022, I saw the heartbreaking news of the Halloween crowd crush in Itaewon, South Korea — a devastating tragedy where narrow streets overflowed with thousands of young people out to celebrate Halloween night. In the midst of the chaos, more than 150 lives were lost and hundreds were injured. What was meant to be a night of fun and festivity became one of the nation’s darkest moments, leaving families shattered and a country in mourning.
I remember reading the news, my heart heavy for the lives lost. Later, I came across a post from an influencer who shared statistics comparing the unusually high number of accidents that occur during Halloween to other times of the year.
It was sobering. That’s when it hit me: Halloween isn’t as harmless as it seems. Beneath the costumes and laughter, I began to sense a shadow — a darkness the world had learned to call fun. I found myself asking, “Lord, how should I, as Your child, respond to this?”
The question didn’t leave easily; it lingered in my heart for years.
Light Over Darkness
Then one morning in August 2025, I opened my Experiencing God Day by Day devotional, and the message for the day was titled:
HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME
“Your name be honored as holy.” — Matthew 6:9b
It felt as if the Lord whispered the answer right to my heart. That was it—I wanted to honor His name as holy on October 31.
While I was still wrestling with the idea, I remembered a book I had read — Redeeming Halloween by Kim Wier and Pam McCune. It put into words the very struggle so many believers face. The authors describe how believers often feel “caught between conviction and culture” — unsure how to respond to a holiday so soaked in darkness, yet so deeply embedded in our communities. I resonated deeply with their message, because for years, that was exactly how I felt — uncertain, trying to balance faith with participation.
But as the authors pointed out, compromising and avoiding are not the solution.
John 1:5 says:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Yes — light doesn’t retreat from darkness; it shines right into it.
That means our response to Halloween, a day that celebrates darkness, shouldn’t be compromise — nor should it be silence or avoidance.
It should be light.
And that’s what Holyween is all about — not blending in, and not hiding away, but boldly shining for Christ in a world that desperately needs His light.
What Is Holyween?
Holyween, to me, is a celebration of holiness and light on October 31.
It’s a day to choose:
• light over darkness
• truth over tricks
• faith over fear
• hope over horror
• Christ over culture
On Holyween, the only Ghost we celebrate is the Holy Ghost, the only spirits are the Fruits of the Spirit, and the scariest thing you’ll see is how many slices of pumpkin pie Brother John can eat.
It’s lighthearted, yes — but it’s also a declaration that we don’t have to hand this day over to darkness. We can redeem it.
A Call to Believers Everywhere
This October 31, let’s do more than turn away from the darkness — let’s shine the light of Christ into it. Let’s honor God’s name as holy — in our homes, in our communities, and throughout the world.
When one light shines, darkness trembles. But when believers everywhere lift their lights together, the night is transformed.
So wherever you are in the world, let’s redeem October 31. Let’s fill the night with laughter, worship, and the kind of joy that can only come from Jesus. Let’s show the world what it means when the children of light choose to shine.
Here’s how we can shine together:
• Host a light night — gather friends, families, or your church community for worship, fellowship, and fun.
• Redeem the candy — give out treats with Scripture cards or words of blessing attached. Every small gesture is a seed of hope.
• Share the message — post about Holyween on your social media, write about what it means to you, or use the hashtag #Holyween #LightOverDarkness to spark conversations that point to Christ.
• Be present — smile at your neighbors, pray for the children who come to your door, and let your home radiate peace instead of fear.
• Spread the word — share this message with your church, coworkers, family, or friends abroad. Let it ripple beyond borders — from one believer to another.
Because this year, we’re not celebrating fear.
We’re celebrating Holyween — a night where light shines into darkness. ✨