Walking in Light through the Days of Remembering

As October whispers its final songs and the evening shadows lengthen, the calendar turns toward days of memory and mystery — of saints triumphant, souls departed, and neighbourhoods alight with candles and costumes. We may feel a tug: “What do I do? Is this good? Is it safe? Does it honour the Lord?”

Let us walk with clear hearts, aware of the darkness but rooted in the light; moving confidently in the truth that Jesus Christ is our life, our hope, our living Way.

1. Remembering our story

In these days, many traditions blend: the costumes and candy of Halloween, the remembrances of saints and loved ones gone before us. Historically, the three-day season called Allhallowtide began as a time to honour martyrs (All Saints) and the faithful departed (All Souls).
And yet, for us as Christians, the question becomes: How do we participate in this season without compromising what the Word of God teaches?

2. What the Bible teaches

• We are to worship God alone. “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

• We are forbidden to engage in necromancy, mediums, or seeking the dead for counsel. “There shall not be found among you… one who inquires of the dead.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-11)

• We are called to honour the saints by example — their lives, their faith— but not to elevate them to a mediator role that belongs to Christ alone. (1 Timothy 2:5)

3. What we can do (and what we should avoid)

🟢 Do:

• Use the season as a reminder of Christ’s victory over death: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

• Honour those who lived for Jesus — invite your listeners to reflect: “What does it mean to live as one of God’s holy ones (saints) today?”

• Reach out to anyone grieving — show compassion, pray for God’s comfort and hope.

• Be intentional with children: if costumes or trick-or-treating are part of your community, frame them as safe fun rather than darkness-glorifying.

🔴 Don’t:

• Don’t participate in or promote activities that invoke the dead, dabble in ghosts/spirits, or treat the unseen realm as just “fun”.

• Don’t assume the dead are in some “purgatory” that we must release through rituals beyond Christ’s blood and grace. (See critique of purgatory as non-scriptural)

• Don’t treat saints or departed loved ones as mediators to God — Christ is the only mediator.

4. Trick-or-treat and community evangelism

In our context (Philippines/Asia), many families enjoy trick-or-treating or visiting graves in Undás traditions. That’s fine — joy and culture can be redeemed. But let’s redeem it with meaning:

• Encourage Christian families to use the fun of the season as a moment of light: a themed “Jesus is the Light” home decoration, gospel cards given along with candy.

• While trick-or-treating, let the costume be creative and safe — but keep the message of hope, not fear.

• When visiting graves (as part of All Souls/Undás tradition), bring a simple prayer of thanks for God’s redeeming work rather than an expectation of influencing the dead.

Dear One Radio family — in the swirl of costumes, candy, and quiet reflection, let us pick light over the eerie, hope over the fear, Christ over customs that drift unmoored.
Let’s walk forward with courage, grace, and joy — shining in the world as a People set free.