What is Lent?

Lent is a season of preparation for Easter that lasts for 40 days, not counting Sundays, that spans from Ash Wednesday until Easter. The 40 days of Lent is set up as a reminder of the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness in preparation for His time in ministry to the world. Yes, that is the same wilderness time when Satan arrived on the scene to tempt Jesus on three different occasions.

How do you observe Lent?

One of the beauties of Lent is that there is not a rule book to follow. The point of Lent is to prepare our hearts for Easter where we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Jesus spent those days in the wilderness fasting, that is, denying himself the comfort of food. With that in mind, many Christians choose to observe Lent by fasting from something, like a specific food or drink, or from habits like social media or television watching. During Lent, the idea is that we die to ourselves by giving up those things we desire. In addition, instead of fasting from something, other disciples take the opportunity of Lent to add or increase a spiritual discipline such as prayer, Bible reading, or others. Remember there isn’t a formula to be successful in how you observe Lent.

Why observe Lent?

Jesus spent those 40 days denying himself through fasting in order to prepare for his journey through death, resurrection, and subsequent ministry. Lent allows us to remember and prepare as well in recognizing our own journey from sin and death into life and love with Jesus. It is a great way to avoid failing to remember not only what Jesus went through in the wilderness, but also to remember the outcome that we celebrate on Easter Sunday.

Did You Know?

• In the early days of the church, pastors did not dip their thumbs into the ashes to draw the shape of a cross on your forehead? Instead, they poured or sprinkled ashes over your head!

• John Wesley fasted from all food twice a week during Lent? This allowed him to spend more time in prayer, which he thought was made even more meaningful when combined with giving to the poor!

• Some Christians do not sing “Alleluia” and/or “Gloria” during Lent? This practice, sometimes called “burying the Alleluia” is a way of recognizing the solemnity of the season, anticipating the praise that will be sung to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday!

• The pretzel has special significance during Lent? According to legend, a 7th century monk made bread from flour, water, and salt (no eggs or milk allowed during Lent), and formed it into the shape of a common prayer pose of the day: hands on opposite shoulders!