Ash Wednesday – 40 days of Lent begins
Today marks the first day of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter. What will you and your family be giving up for lent?
Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter.
In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count).
Does Lent start on Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday usually begins with a service, where Christians recognize their mortality, repent their sins, and return to their loving God.
Some choose to make resolutions and commit to changing their lives over the following forty days, so they might be more like Christ.
In an Ash Wednesday service, the minister or priest marks the sign of the cross on a person’s forehead with ashes.
Why does it last forty days?
The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
What is the meaning of Lent to Christians?
Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ – his suffering and sacrifices, his life, death, burial and resurrection.
How is Lent observed?
Lent is a time for Christians to “repent”, return to God and refocus their lives in the image of Jesus. It’s a 40 day trial run to change lifestyles and let God change your heart.
The following practices are common during Lent:
FASTING: You can fast by cutting out some of the things in your life that distract you from God. Some Christians use the whole 40 days to fast from candy, TV, soft drinks, cigarettes or meat as a way to purify their bodies and lives.
What do you need to let go of or “fast” from in order to focus on God? What clutters your calendar and life? How can you simplify your life in terms of what you eat, wear or do?
SERVICE: Some Christians take something on for Christ. You can collect food for the needy, volunteer once a week to tutor children, or work for reform and justice in your community. You can also commit to help a different stranger, co-worker or friend during Lent. Serving others is one way we serve God.
PRAYER: Christians also use Lent as a time of intentional prayer. You can pray while you walk, create music or art as a prayer to God, or savor a time of quiet listening. All can be ways of becoming more in tune with God.
What will you be doing for lent?
Day 1 of #lent and I've decided to give up chocolate and alcohol - at this rate I won't have any vices left !
— Scott Rowlands (@SRowlands73) February 10, 2016
Welcome to #Do1NiceThing Lent Challenge 2016!
— LYS ~ #Do1NiceThing (@loveyourstreets) February 10, 2016
10th February - Engage in conversation with the people who serve you (e.g. shop keepers)
What will you give up for #Lent? How about negative thinking and being too hard on yourself #goodplacetostart #NRCS #counselling
— NRCS (@CounsellingNR) February 10, 2016
To celebrate #AshWednesday we've decided we're going to give up alcohol for #lent I hope we can last 40 days! pic.twitter.com/ebo8ZzOCPw
— The Venue Cloud (@TheVenueCloud) February 10, 2016
I'm giving up fast food and using swear words for lent, this gone be a long 40 days.
— B. (@eighthunna) February 10, 2016
Easter has bad timing this year. How can lent start on my birthday? Guess I'm not giving up chocolate this year!!! pic.twitter.com/9QPmx0ogCU
— Maria White (@mariamaetweet) February 10, 2016
A small gesture but I always give up #chocolate for #Lent so here goes! Chocolate £ to @macmillancancer 💚 #Lent2016 pic.twitter.com/MuiXBGLGvK
— Jo Moseley (@OneHappyRower) February 10, 2016
Giving up a junk food for #Lent2016? Check the calories you'll save over 40 days. https://t.co/QDibBD6IJt pic.twitter.com/SIr0eZa7Oc
— POPSUGAR Wellness (@POPSUGARWell) February 9, 2016
It's beginning to kick in! #Lent pic.twitter.com/gzVnu1MRbA
— Fr Dougal McGuire (@DougalMacGuire) February 10, 2016
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