Season of Lent Approaching

I know we've not yet reached Valentine's Day, but Lent begins next Wednesday (on Ash Wednesday)...I wanted to share a few things about the season of Lent in case some of you might be interested in integrating some new traditions and ideas into home/family life.

I spoke about Lent at this MOPS talk. You can listen to the talk here. (Warning: I have not listened to myself talking yet. I am little afraid to...I was completely taken by surprise this day when I discovered that being pregnant left me literally out of breath several times during the talk.)

I'll also be posting notes and ideas from my talk on the blog throughout the season of Lent.

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 Lent 2010— February 17 thru April 4, 2010
The 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday. The word “lent” is from the Anglo-Saxon word lengten, which means spring. Typically, its celebrated with special services and traditions in the Catholic Church or other denominations of "High Church." Still even if you do not attend church, there is great value in celebrating this season in your home. Seasons (like spring) and holidays (like Easter) are simple ways to share ideas and values with our children. And because they happen each year, at the same time, there is a rhythm and consistency in teaching and creating memories for our families. 

This PDF outlines the season of Lent, including Holy Week. Print it out and hang it up or tuck it in your Bible. There are suggested readings for specific days (like Good Friday, etc.) 

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WHY CELEBRATE LENT? Ready for my soapbox?

For many--and likely most of us--Easter involves one day, perhaps one weekend if you are traveling and dying eggs on Saturday night. Yet, Easter is the cornerstone of our Christian faith.

Consider: We take a whole month to celebrate Christmas. It involves gifts, decorations, books, movies, songs, activities, parties. You name it and at Christmas time, we do it. What about Easter? We get the Easter bunny, egg hunts, chocolate (a very key factor), church on Sunday morning, family dinner after. Maybe, maybe some other Easter-related events, which usually take place at Sunday School or church or MOPS, but not really in our homes. 

Now, don't get me wrong. I love Christmas. I am all about God sending Baby Jesus down and giving us such a precious gift. But if Jesus just came and lived and that was it, our faith would be empty, really nothing. What sets Jesus apart is that he not only came, but that he lived a sinless life, died a horrible and shameful death on the cross for our sins (not his own)... Then, rose again on the third day--not only conquering our sin, but death itself.

As Saint Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:14, "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain."

Without Easter—without the resurrection of Christ—there would be no Christian faith. Christ's resurrection is the proof of his divinity.

This is what the season of Lent is all about. It's about taking a season (really just a little over a month to) reflect and celebrate. Don't you think it deserves some time on our calendar?

Comments

[Bobbi]

Yeah, thank you!! Picked up Bread and Wine this week too...it's wonderful...you should share it with your readers too. My husband was delighted with it! I think many people consider Lent a strictly Catholic holiday...and it really isn't necessary.