Lake Norman Publications

Looking for more treats than tricks this Halloween



Rev. Doug Ferguson

l grew up in an awesome neighborhood for celebrating Halloween. 

There were lots of kids, so our parents felt safe allowing us to roam the neighborhood together. There were just enough empty-nesters to guarantee full-sized candy bars.  Armed with plastic pumpkins and plastic masks, we challenged our neighbors with shouts of “trick or treat?”

The phrase “trick or treat” has evolved over the centuries. In Ireland and Scotland, children practiced “guising.” Dressed in costumes, they would earn their treat by offering a trick such as telling a joke or singing a song. 

Irish and Scot immigrants brought the tradition to the United States, where eventually the tricks turned into pranks.

“Trick or treat?” became a question. Would you rather give us a treat, or shall we give you a trick? I doubt my friends and I would have been ready if a neighbor had requested a song or a joke before giving us a treat. I know we weren’t prepared to trick anyone had we been refused a treat. Thankfully, our neighbors always responded to our query of “trick or treat?” with a treat.

At times, 2020 has felt as if the world answered incorrectly when asked “trick or treat?” This year has been a long run of “tricks”: a worldwide pandemic, shutdowns, economic uncertainty, racial tension, political division, hurricanes and wildfires. It’s tempting to imagine an angry god handing out tricks. The good news is that’s not the God of our faith.

On one occasion, Jesus posed a rhetorical question. Which of us, if your daughter or son asked for fish or bread, would give them a snake or a stone? This week we might phrase His question, “If they asked for a treat would you give them a trick?” 

The answer was obvious – no one. 

When our children ask for treats, we give them loaves of fresh baked bread and the best fish we can find.  Jesus offered this observation: “So if you, who are sinful, know how to give your children good gifts, how much more so does your Father in heaven, who is perfect, know how to give great gifts to His children!” (Matthew 7: 11).

We aren’t perfect parents, but we delight in giving treats to our children as well as the neighborhood kids who will come knocking on Halloween. To an even greater extent God delights in giving great gifts to His children. That’s true even in a year filled with tricks.

Throughout 2020, God has provided treats even in the midst of challenges. There’s been a renewed sense of community as neighbors care for neighbors. Less hectic schedules have provided time and space to become closer as families. We’ve gained a greater appreciation for those who care for us, protect us and lead us. 

May this Halloween be filled with more treats than tricks, and may you receive the great gifts your Father in heaven delights in giving.

– The Rev. Doug Ferguson is pastor at Huntersville Presbyterian Church

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