I believe we can whittle down our contemporary celebration of Halloween to two essentials: #1: free candy; lots of it and more calories than our kids could ever count. And #2: fantasy-to-freaky costumes; kids getting the opportunity to present themselves in a wannabe identity – though hopefully not in some subliminal alter-ego outfit.
I get it why Wonder Woman and Belle from Beauty and the Beast are two of this year’s most popular costumes. But I’m speechless (mighty rare event) that Pennywise, the deranged Stephen King clown, is 2017’s most popular costume. Not that’s scary!
Costumes are designed to conceal one’s true identity. But I submit to you, most people don’t need a costume because they’re already wearing one – or more. Most look the picture of normal, of sophistication, of success on the outside, but it’s a disguise that hides the true person.
God’s not fooled by our “costumes.” He sees right through them; which moves me to ask, “Who do we think we’re fooling?” For Christians especially, it makes no sense to don some fake exterior.
Martin Luther understood this better than most, which explains why he implored his audiences to concentrate on their – our – inner selves. Why not come out this Sunday to hear the first part of a two-part sermon entitled, “Best Dressed Christians?” We’ll all be encouraged to don our “under”–wear, stripping off our false facades, while allowing God to dress us in His Holy Spirit garb.
