All glorious is the princess within her chamber;
her gown is interwoven with gold.
In embroidered garments she is led to the king;
her virgin companions follow her—
those brought to be with her.
Led in with joy and gladness,
they enter the palace of the king.
- Psalm 45:13-15
Today is Halloween. Possible Correction: This was scheduled to come out on Halloween 2026, but I have no control over when you read it.
I was at a loss about what to write.
Then I thought of Trick or Treat.
Our street in our little town in SW Pennsylvania is the longest in town. There is a steep climb, but parents think they can park once and hit a lot of houses without driving and parking again.
My wife would make 150 gift bags. She would instruct me to give one bag to each child. I followed orders until there was a princess. A princess got two bags.
The Scripture above is the only reference to “princess” in the Bible. So, giving preference to a princess is not biblical. I just liked the innocence of a three-, four-, or five-year-old in her princess dress.
They were usually more appreciative. They usually said “Trick or Treat.” The teenagers, without any costume at all, shoved a pillowcase in my face and grunted.
Oh, I just remembered. A young girl, maybe 14, walked up to me and curtseyed, said “Trick or Treat”, and I gave her two bags. She said , “Thank you.” She turned to her grunting friends, as they were walking away, and said, “Hey, you get more if you say the right words and you are polite!!!!” I doubt if the grunters heeded her suggestion.
But who else do you have? Witches, devils, zombies, superheroes, football players (not really a costume – unless your sister wears it), and other things dragged from the bottom of the black lagoon.
When those show up, I give them one bag just to keep the line moving.
I wrote yesterday morning about the biblical reasons why being a witch, vampire, monster, etc. was not a good idea. But my only concern on Halloween is if you identify with the character that you are portraying. The teenagers without costumes who just grunt are totally committed to the character that they are playing. I think they are the ones who have fired bottle rockets at my windows in the past.
But as for me, my heart goes out to the young, innocent princesses.
Once I gave one three bags.
Her Dad was pulling her up the hill in a little red wagon. As I said, the street is long and the hill is steep.
The princess, maybe 4-years-old, got out of the wagon. She waved a handkerchief as if she was about to faint.
She said, “I am so, so tired!” Then with a little prompting from her mother… Her father was so exhausted, he was simply trying to catch his breath. She then added, “Trick or Treat.”
I gave her two bags and then another, “I think your Dad needs some energy about now.” She was excited to get three bags. She jumped for joy and said, “Thank You!” And her Dad, with pain all over his face, said a breathy, “Thank you.” And with her on board, he pulled her further up the hill.
Show some love tonight. Spread some Joy. And when you see those little innocent children dreaming of being a princess or knight in shining armor, give them a little extra.
And thank the Lord that Trick or Treat is only one night of the year.
Soli Deo Gloria. Only to God be the Glory.
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