3 November 2026 | Ennis, Ireland [Deborah Lessa]
Deborah Lessa, communication sponsor for the Irish Mission, shares how a simple Halloween activity helped her family connect with neighbours in Ennis, Ireland. On 31 October 2026, she and a group of relatives and friends used a puppet show to share a message about Jesus with around 60 children and their parents. In this first-person account, Lessa reflects on the responses that made the evening especially meaningful.
What do Christians do on Halloween evening?
This might sound like a strange question, or at least one that makes you stop and wonder. Some might even ask, “Should we, as Christians, do anything on Halloween?” or “Shouldn’t we stay away from anything associated with such celebrations?”
Before you think I’m suggesting that Christians should celebrate Halloween, let me explain. As Christians, we have the responsibility and privilege of sharing the good news of Jesus’ love with those around us. We are called to be the light of the world, to bring hope where there is darkness, and to show God’s love not only through our words but also through our actions.
And sometimes, opportunities to do that come knocking at our doors. Quite literally! Think about it. On Halloween evening, dozens of children and families may come to our doorsteps. People we might never otherwise meet, neighbours we rarely speak to, and children who may never have heard how precious they are in God’s eyes.
Sharing Jesus’ love in a creative way
In 2025, we prepared something special to give to those who knocked at our door. However, we ran out of the little cards and treat bags we were handing out. Seeing how many children were coming, we decided as a family to be better prepared this year.
Years ago, my husband and I were part of a creative arts group in the UK that used puppets to share Jesus’ love with people in Totton, England. Remembering some of the special and meaningful moments we had there, I thought, why not use the puppets again, this time with the children coming to our doorstep? I also invited another family, along with my brother and sister-in-law, to help make it happen.
As the children approached our house, a puppet named Grandpa Zack appeared at one of the windows, greeted them, and invited them to come closer. After chatting with them for a little while, he directed them to another window, where more puppets suddenly appeared. There, the puppets shared a simple but powerful message about Jesus being the Light of the World and invited the children to join them in singing: “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”
“I loved seeing the kids’ reactions when they heard the song and saw the puppets,” said Tiago Rossendy, who joined us with his family. Rossendy also had the opportunity to offer a prayer for some of the children and parents who came to our door.
Throughout the evening, around 60 children, accompanied by their parents, visited our house. Each child received a small bag of sweets, a glow-in-the-dark stick, and a special card with the message, “Let Your Light Shine!” The card also included Jesus’ words from John 8:12, “I am the Light of the World,” along with a few simple reminders: “You are loved. You are special. Share kindness, love and hope.”
Smiles and meaningful impressions
It was amazing to see how much the children enjoyed the experience. We heard them saying:
“Incredible! Best night ever!”
“I loved it! I loved the puppets!”
The parents were also very grateful and happy for what we were doing. Some said:
“That’s brilliant, guys! Nice show!”
“Great effort!”
One special moment for me was when a man who lives just three houses away from us came to our door with his children after the puppet performance. Although we live so close to each other, I had never had the chance to meet him. He introduced himself and warmly thanked us for the puppet show, telling us how much they had enjoyed it.
Another father’s comment particularly touched us: “I needed that much more than all the kids.”
What a beautiful reminder that sometimes even the simplest gestures can mean more than we realise. We may never know what someone is going through or how much they might need a word of encouragement, a moment of joy, or a reminder that they are loved.
Let your light shine
Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” And in Matthew 5:14–16, He calls us to be the light of the world and to let our light shine before others. That is exactly what we wanted to do that evening: share a little light, joy, and hope with the families who came to our door.
Perhaps next year, more Christian families and churches could consider doing something similar. It doesn’t have to involve puppets or an elaborate programme. Sometimes, the simplest ideas can make a lasting difference. After all, Jesus didn’t call us to hide our light, but to let it shine.
[Photos: Deborah Lessa]
