In Your Easter Bonnet

 

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

—Philippians 1:27

From early in the 20th century, people have known the lyrics to Irving Berlin’s “Easter Bonnet.”

In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it,
You’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade…

Every year the Easter bonnet parade takes place along Fifth Avenue in New York City. As the years have gone by, the aim of most participants has grown increasingly to feature the most outlandish hats they can find, or build. However, once upon a time, the parade showed off the most beautiful and stylish of Easter outfits, topped off with “the hat.”

A genuine Easter outfit generally includes all pieces—dress, jacket, shoes, purse, and hat in a matching array, proudly displayed for its smart and “most together” choices. What would you say though, if in looking for a gorgeous, fitting outfit, you saw a beautiful Easter dress topped off with a pith helmet, or a beanie? Out of place. Right?

What if we viewed our Christian lives in the same way we examine an Easter outfit, intending for each piece to adorn Christ in holy living? In looking at us, could others conclude that our colors match, our gloves reveal the clean hands we pretend to possess, and our bonnet finishes off our attire in such a way that we well represent the beauty of Christ? Or, do we wear sinful and ugly components that improperly represent our Savior?

Like the Easter set of clothes, St. Paul, in Colossians 1:10-12, lists the accessories we should all possess in order to “adorn” the gospel of Christ:

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

As we put together our spring wardrobe, attempting to match every piece to make ourselves look appropriate, we should think about the spiritual likeness Christ desires for us. He wants to see us completely clothed with His adornments, with our word and our living matching in such a way to bring out the beauty of His life within us—and topped with the bonnet of His approval!

A blessed and Happy Easter.