Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent, a season of the Christian calendar. Next year we’ll have our first Ash Wednesday service (March 6, 2019 if you are marking your calendar). Christianity Today provides a simple explanation of Lent:
“Lent marks a 40-day period on the church calendar leading up to the celebration of Easter. During Lent, Christians have traditionally engaged in practices of self-denial, like fasting, meant to orient their hearts and minds to the sufferings of Christ, who spent 40 days in the desert fasting and enduring temptations from Satan.”
Lent leads us up to Easter and marks a season of fasting and repentance, preparing us for the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection! Lent, along with Ash Wednesday, is celebrated by Christians in both the Catholic and Protestant traditions. Amy Julia Becker wrote a good article, “In Defense of Lent,” that you may find helpful.
During this season, I encourage you to spend time reflecting on the Cross of Christ and preparing your heart! If you’d like to get a copy of a great devotional during the series, check out Tim Chester’s The Glory of the Cross. This would be a great way to prepare yourself!
