Put on your Easter best
Iwas going through some old pictures the other day and saw some of my childhood pictures at Easter time. There we were, my sister and me, wearing better than normal Sunday clothes. You see, when I was young, people dressed up to go to the grocery store, to a café, to certain types of work and especially when going to church. Some people dressed for supper with button up shirts and slacks for the guys, and dresses for the ladies. However, most folks dressed up to go to church. The difference between Easter and other Sundays was some extra effort. Little girls wore frilly dresses, white gloves and an Easter bonnet, and the boys wore suits and ties. Usually, something worn on Easter was brand new. Some of the men who farmed would show up in brand new overalls. Shoes were polished with pride. What was “putting on your Sunday best” became, “putting on your Easter best.” My wife carried on this tradition with our children. They wore their best clothes to church, but on Easter, they wore something extra. Usually, my wife sewed the girl’s dresses and sometimes she would make dresses for other girls in the family so they would match for pictures. They also wore gloves and hats until they were older, but even when wearing just an Easter dress, it was something new. The boys would wear suits or jackets with matching ties.
However, like most folks, my children and my grandchildren have changed some of these traditions, and now at Easter, we usually wear T-shirts with something printed on it pointing to Easter. I still put on a dress jacket and slacks, even with the T-shirt. I’m afraid my ancestors might rise up and get me if I don’t make an effort at looking my best for church.
I’m glad we are no longer as concerned about what we look like on the outside, especially when so few people own clothes that would quality in the past as “Sunday best.” We certainly want them to come and feel welcome in whatever they are wearing. However, to me, when I’m heading to worship the King of kings, and especially when I’m celebrating the suffering, death and resurrection of my Savior, I want to make sure I come with my “Easter best”-that is, my heart prepared and ready for worship, and to meet with the Lord clothed in humility and gratitude. He is risen! Go worship this Sunday and put on your best for Him.
