What is Lent?

Lent is a 40 day preparation for Easter. It is a time when a Christian may focus their lives on being more faithful to Jesus. Not every Christian denomination observes Lent, but any Christian may observe if they so choose.

Lent is a time when a Christian focuses on their relationship with God by sacrificing anything that is impairing that relationship and replacing it with something that enhances it. This time of sacrifice leads up to the joy and new life of Easer: the defeat of death and the hope of eternal life because of the resurrection of Jesus.

The biggest misconception of Lent is that you are observing it if you just give something up. So, if you give up smoking or soda and take the money that you spent on those things and gave them to God in some way (for instance, your church or a food pantry or women’s shelter), you are observing Lent. If you give up four hours of TV every night and replace it with something like two hours of prayer and Bible study and two hours of visiting shut-ins, you are observing Lent. The hope and purpose of Lent is that you would draw closer to God continually, even after Lent, by turning these new behaviors into habits.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. The ashes signify a sorrow for sins and drifting from God and a desire to draw closer to him. There are also pamphlets throughout the Home explaining Ash Wednesday, Lent, and Easter in more detail.

Have a blessed Lenten Season!