The First Day of Lent

Today is the first day of Lent--Ash Wednesday. Over the last couple of years I've been trying to incorporate more time for traditions, activities and reflection during this season, for both my kids and myself.

I grew up in a small Baptist church and other than Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, I don't recall celebrating the "season" of Lent. Now as adult, I found great significance in this important time. As evangelical Christians, we spend a whole season preparing and celebrating Christmas (the arrival of Christ), but so little time focusing on the season surrounding his death and resurrection--the whole foundation of our religion. I'm not saying it's not important to celebrate his birth--God's special gift to us. But, I feel do feel that we need to emphasize his death and resurrection--His ultimate gift to us.

Along those lines if you are looking for a devotional to read during this season, check out this book.

I love these quotes from the introduction:

"It is at time to let go of excuses for failings and shortcomings; a time to stop hanging on to whatever shreds of goodness we perceive in ourselves; a time to ask God to show us what we really look like."

"Lent should never be morose--an annual ordeal during which we begrudgingly forgo a handful of pleasures. Instead, we ought to approach Lent as an opportunity, not a requirement. After all, it is meant to be the church's springtime, a time when, out of darkness of winter's sin, a repentant, empowered people emerges."

Some other things I've learned about Lent:

• Lent is a season for purification, a time when we reflect on things of our life that need to be removed. While you may want to "give something up" for Lent as our Catholic sisters do, Lent may be a season when you are examining many areas of your life and begin removing things that aren't pleasing to the Lord.

• Lent is a symbolizes the 40 days that Jesus retreated to the desert where he was tested and prepared for his ministry.

• Lent is time that is not only a time of "giving up" but also a time of "giving to" those that are in need.

From now until Easter, I'll be posting more thoughts and activities on Easter for both you and your kids.

Comments

[Bobbi]

Wow...thank you for the info. I've just really started to concentrate on advent...and now I can't wait to get that book and check into Lent. You are so right!

[Meredith]

I agree wholeheartedly with you about spending loads of time preparing for and celebrating Christmas, and so little time preparing for what most believers refer to as the "pinnacle" of the Christian year.

Good thoughts, Janna. And I'm interested in that book b/c I love Buechner, L'Engle, and Nouwen.

[Lori Anne]

Janna, that sounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing.

[kim]

thanks for sharing... will have to crack that cover :)

[melissa]

I'm interested in this book!