Halloween III: Light in the Darkness

November 02, 2006

Last week, I explained why my family reversed course from 2005 and decided to celebrate Halloween ‘06, participating in Christ’s work to redeem even this holiday.  Well, this year, Team Wilson enjoyed Halloween like never before. 

The preparations began days in advance.  While my ladies attended a birthday party last weekend, I spent several hours adorning our house with ropes of white lights.  Later, Christine hemmed Savannah’s costume, and the girls delighted in placing labels on the treats that proclaimed, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”  They also made a poster to hang by the door that proclaimed, “Jesus is the light of the world!”

And then the big night arrived.  Before settling in for an evening of handing out treats, we led our girls on their victorious candy campaign around the block.  Christine and I (dressed as Mary and Joseph) escorted our girls (dressed as an angel and one of the three wise men) and led our “donkey” (played by our 150-pound Newfoundland puppy Maximus).  Even though Maximus didn’t wear a costume, I think he may have attracted the most attention from passersby.  Wearing a Halloween costume -- which I haven’t done since elementary school -- turned out not to be as embarrassing as I remembered. 

Back at home, we sat outside to enjoy the glorious fall weather and warmly greet guests disguised as werewolves, vampires, and Bill Gates (my bride’s personal favorite, and to some just as scary as the werewolves).  Trick-or-treaters were delighted to receive full-sized candy bars instead of those mini-sized imposters.  Along with their candy, guests received booklets describing the best treat of all -- Jesus Christ.

Perhaps most rewarding were the warm greetings we received from friends, neighbors and strangers alike in response to our brightly illuminated home.  What a difference the white lights made in our little corner of the world.