Use the legend of the Jack-o-lantern to share the gospel.

1. Halloween Party
Ideas - Jack-O-Lantern
Use the legend of the Jack-o-lantern
to share the gospel.
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com
www.CreativeHolidayIdeas.com

2. Tradition says the Halloween “Jack-o-Lantern” gets it’s name from an old Irish
story about a drunkard called “Stingy Jack.”
According to one version of the story, which has many variations, on October
31st, Stingy Jack was being chased by some villagers for stealing. It was his time
to die and because of his wicked life he was going to hell. But he offered the
devil an opportunity to create chaos and distrust in the whole village if the
devil would free him for a year. The devil, gleeful at any opportunity to cause
conflict and destroy relationships, agreed to hear Stingy Jack’s plan.
You want to know what his plan was?
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com
www.CreativeHolidayIdeas.com

3. Since the devil could turn into any shape, the devil would turn himself into a
coin and Stingy Jack would use the coin to pay for the things he had stolen.
Later the devil could change back to his original shape and the villagers would
accuse each other and fight over who had stolen the coin.
The devil agreed to the plan, but when he changed into the coin, Stingy Jack
dropped the coin into his pocket next to a cross he had stolen from the village.
The devil was powerless next to the cross and couldn’t change back into his
original form. Stingy jack eventually freed the devil, but only after the devil
agreed not to bother him for a whole year.
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com
www.CreativeHolidayIdeas.com

4. The next year, the Devil met Stingy Jack walking on a
country road and told him that he was there to collect his
soul. Jack, pretended he was ready to go, but asked the
Devil if he would grant him one last wish. Would he climb
an apple tree and get him an apple? The Devil, thinking it
was a small request in exchange for Stingy Jack’s soul
agreed.
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com
www.CreativeHolidayIdeas.com

5. Jack pointed to an apple at the top of the tree and the devil began
to climb. But just as he reached for the apple, Stingy Jack pulled
out his knife and quickly carved the sign of the cross in the tree’s
trunk. Again, powerless before the cross, the Devil was unable to
come back down from the tree. Stingy Jack, very proud of himself
made the Devil promise to never again ask him for his soul. Seeing
no other choice the Devil reluctantly agreed.
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com
www.CreativeHolidayIdeas.com

6. Later, Stingy Jack died. But when he knocked on the
heavenly gates he was not allowed inside because of his
wicked life. But the devil, because of his promise not to take
his soul, also refused to let Stingy Jack enter hell.
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com
www.CreativeHolidayIdeas.com

7. Being unable to go to heaven or hell Jack asked the Devil
where he should go. The Devil only replied, “Back where you
came from!” The way back was very dark so Jack begged the
Devil to at least give him a light to find his way. So the Devil
tossed Jack a hot burning coal from the fires of hell to light his
way.
Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been
roaming the earth ever since.
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com
www.CreativeHolidayIdeas.com

8. The Irish referred to him as “Jack of the Lantern,” and later, just
“Jack O’ Lantern.” After a while, the Irish began to carve scary
faces into potatoes and turnips and place them in windows and
doorways to frighten away Stingy Jack and other roaming
spirits. When they came to the United States, they discovered
pumpkins were much more suitable for jack-O-lanterns since
they were softer and easier to carve than the turnips and
potatoes of their Irish homeland.
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com
www.CreativeHolidayIdeas.com

9. You don’t need a pumpkin to scare away evil spirits.
And you don’t need the light of a jack-o-lantern to light
your way. Jesus the light of the world has come to you!
Your name might not be Stingy Jack, but the Bible tells
us that no one is worthy to get into heaven. (Romans
3:23)
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com
www.CreativeHolidayIdeas.com

10. And while you can’t make a deal with the devil, Jesus has
already made a deal on your behalf. He exchanged his life for
yours that you might receive eternal life. (Romans 6:23) And the
devil is still powerless next to the cross where Jesus gave his life
for yours!
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com
www.CreativeHolidayIdeas.com

11. You don’t need to wander the earth, fearful about whether or
not you will get into heaven or afraid the devil will get your soul.
You can know for certain you will go to heaven. (1 John 5:12-13,
John 14:6)
All you need to do is confess your sin, believe in Jesus, and trust
him with your life. (Romans 10:9)
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com
www.CreativeHolidayIdeas.com

12. Holiday Collection
Games and Activities in Celebration
of common Holidays.
Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of
ideas to help you plan your next New Year’s
Day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s
Day, Halloween or Fall Festival, and
Thanksgiving event. If you’ve ever wondered
what you’re going to do for all these holidays
and how you’re going to do it, this resource is
for you.
=> Tell me more about the Holiday Collection
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com