What is Lent?
Beginning on Ash Wednesday (March 2), Lent is a season of reflection and preparation for the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifices and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is marked by fasting, both from food and festivities. In the Gospels, Jesus spends 40 days in the wilderness to fast and pray. This event was one of the factors that inspired the final length of Lent. A common practice was weekly fasting on Wednesday and Friday until mid-afternoon.
Lent is a period of 40 days during which Christians remember the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ, whose life and teachings are the foundation of Christianity. The 40 day period is called Lent after an old English word meaning “lengthen”.
Easter is a different date each year, between March 2 and April 25, depending on when there is a full moon in Spring. Many Christians spent time at church in thought, prayer and celebration of Jesus Christ’s life. Some get together for a special meal.
A lot of us decorate Eggs to be hidden and found by children. This started a long time ago. Originally eating eggs was not allowed by church leaders during the week leading up to Easter (Holy Week). Any eggs laid that week were saved and decorated to make them Holy Week eggs that were given to children as gifts. This has now developed into the tradition that many people enjoy today. The story of the Easter Bunny is thought to have become common in the 19th century. Rabbits usually give birth to a big litter of babies (called kittens), so they become a symbol of new life.
On Ash Wednesday, churches hold special services at which worshippers are marked with ash. This is the symbol of death and remembering bad things we have done, which is where the day gets its name from. Typically, the ash is made from burning palm crosses which were used in church services on the previous year’s Palm Sunday. It is mixed with oil.
Millions of people give up something during Lent as a sign of sacrifice and to test their self -discipline. Christians believe that this is to represent Jesus’ sacrifice when he went into the desert to pray and fast for the 40 days before later dying on the cross. While Jesus was in the desert, Satan tempted him to turn away from God and worship him instead, but Jesus refused to, which is why people might give up something, in order to test their own self-discipline.
Lent ends with Holy Week, which leads to Easter Sunday – the most important day in the Christian calendar. This day marks the resurrection of Jesus after His death on the cross, and is a celebration of His life.
Author: Tommy Herndon
