Has Easter Lost It's Luster?

I remember Easter Sunday very fondly as a child. Besides the fact that I received an Easter basket filled with all sorts of goodies, it was the day that I could wear bangs and the most "foo foo" of outfits. Frilly dresses, matching spring coats, lace trimmed socks, and white patent leather shoes were topped off with barrettes, ribbons, hats, purses, and white gloves. (You "Generation Xers" like myself remember a well-dressed "lady" never went any where without her gloves!) My mother made sure I looked like the girliest of girls on that day, and I loved every single minute of it.

Over the years I have noticed that people just don't dress their children the way they used to for Easter. Now don't get me wrong -- I don't buy into the commercialization that now dominates the day nor do I dismiss the real reason why we Christians celebrate Easter at all. However, I couldn't help but be reminded in church once again this year that we have become such a casual society that the next generation has no concept of the respect we demonstrated by dressing in our "Sunday best" when we entered a sanctuary, particularly on Easter Sunday. Going to church didn't mean looking like you were about to hit the playground, the movies, or the dance club, for that matter. (I can't begin to tell you the number of young ladies I saw yesterday with jeans that appeared to be painted on their bodies to match their tattoos.) Although I strongly denounce the idea that those who desire to attend church should be denied access because they can't afford to "dress the part," I am completely appalled by those who choose to spend their money to dress themselves and their children in attire completely inappropriate for the occasion.

I remember the days when church clothes were just that . . . "Church Clothes." They were the children's equivalent of adult work clothes:  you wore them for that purpose and immediately took them off when you arrived home. (God forbid you tried to keep them on and not change into your "play clothes"!) This was how parents initially began to teach their children, at an elementary stage, what it meant to dress appropriately for the many things they did. Ever wonder today why young adults today can't grasp the concept of proper work attire?

Although I don't think we will ever return to the days I remember so fondly that taught us to have pride in our appearance even as youngsters, I commend those parents who continue to pass down the teachings of our generation to their little ones. Thank you Najah, Samantha, and Tolori for showing your little girls what it means to dress in honor of something special. I enjoyed seeing their pictures on Facebook yesterday. Above all, thank you Mommy for teaching me to have pride in myself and my physical appearance, and to respect the fact that there is a time and a place for everything.