Keeping the Porch Light On: A Halloween of Hospitality in the Driveway
This Halloween, our home was gone, burned down to ashes just weeks before. The spot where our porch once stood was now a reminder of what we had lost, and our lives felt unsettled and uncertain. Still, as October 31 drew near, my husband and I felt a nudge to set up something special for the neighborhood kids, despite our circumstances. We couldn’t welcome them to our porch, but we could open our driveway, making space for them just the same.
We do not celebrate Halloween for the costumes and the pagan traditions it is rooted in. Halloween has been a time to connect with the community, to catch up with neighbors, to see familiar faces. In many ways, it’s been a chance to live out Christ’s call to be a light for others, even if it’s just by opening our door and greeting those around us with warmth and welcome. This year, as I prayed about whether to participate,
I felt a gentle reminder that we are called to be present, especially in our times of struggle. We’re called to shine His light, even if only through a porch light, even when life feels less than perfect.
As we set up a table and chairs in the driveway, decorated with simple touches, and waited for friends, neighbors, and trick-or-treaters, I remembered a post I had seen on Instagram earlier that day. And it said something to the effect that everyone deserves to have a porch light on, and everyone deserves kindred. And in that instant, I understood. There was no literal “porch light,” but the spirit of one burned bright. For us, it was a symbol of showing up, of holding fast to the call for hospitality, and of inviting others in even when our lives feel broken. In faith, we’re encouraged to practice hospitality — to create a welcoming space for others, sharing kindness and warmth in the same way Christ extends His welcome to us.
As the evening unfolded, neighbors stopped by to say hello, to check in, and to offer their support. Children giggled and greeted us, happily taking candy from our table. Friends lingered to talk, offering hugs and heartfelt words.
This time in our driveway, where we sat among the remnants of a recent tragedy, felt more powerful than ever. It was a reminder that hospitality isn’t about perfection; it’s about making space for others, even in the midst of loss.
Romans 12:13 reminds us to “practice hospitality,” and that simple command was the heartbeat of our Halloween this year. What we offered wasn’t a perfect home or an impressive display; it was a willingness to be present, to open ourselves up, and to let our neighbors know they were still welcome in our lives. In the driveway, with our hearts still healing, we found the beauty of community — friends who reminded us that we are surrounded by God’s love, and that in showing kindness to one another, we bring His light into even the darkest seasons.
Our porch light that night became more than just a signal for Halloween. It became a reminder of God’s faithfulness, a small act of obedience, a way to show our neighbors that His love and hope still shines in dark seasons. The Bible tells us to “let our light shine before others” (Matthew 5:16), and this year, that verse took on new meaning. Sometimes, it’s not about grand gestures; it’s about being there, sharing life’s simple joys, and bearing witness to God’s goodness, even when times are hard.
Setting up in our driveway became an act of faith, a choice to let God’s love and light shine through us. It reminded me that real hospitality isn’t confined to a house or a perfect space. It’s the act of opening our hearts and creating a place of warmth and care, even in brokenness.
This Halloween became a testament to resilience, love, and the power of community — a reminder that keeping the “porch light” on is something we can do wherever we are, and that hospitality, especially in hard times, can reveal God’s presence among us in the most beautiful ways.
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