What is Lent?
What is the history of Lent? In short, Lent is a forty-day period that many Christians use to prepare themselves for the coming celebration of Easter. Lent is not mentioned in the Bible, but over time has become a tradition within some branches of Christianity.
Where did the name Lent come from?
The term lent comes from an Old English word for spring season – lencten.
When did it become a celebration?
Christians have practiced Lent, in some form, since the second century according to the Church Father Irenaeus. During the early centuries of the Church, some practiced a forty-day fast in preparation for baptism at Easter, while others observed the forty-day fast for spiritual growth.
Why Forty Days?
Forty days is a common time frame in the Bible surrounding very important events. The period of forty days should remind us of the other forties in the Bible:
- The 40 days of rain during the Flood
- The 40 years the children of Israel spent in the wilderness after leaving Egypt
- The 40 days Moses was on the mountain
- The 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted
- The 40 days Jesus appeared after His resurrection
How is Lent celebrated today?
Lent has become a time of repentance, reflection, and fasting for a period of forty days before Easter.
Fasting varies from person to person, some fast a favorite food, some meat, and some fast a habit they are trying to break.
Spiritual disciplines for this forty-day fast include extra prayer, additional scripture reading, attending extra church services, and serving in your local congregation or community.
When is it celebrated in the year?
Lent is celebrated at different times, depending on which branch of Christianity you follow; the Western Church or the Eastern Church.
Western Churches: Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter. The date changes each year because of the changing date of Easter. This year Ash Wednesday is observed on February 17, 2021 and Easter is celebrated on April 4, 2021 in the western branches of Christianity.
Eastern Churches: Lent begins on Clean or Shrove Monday and lasts for forty days. It ends on a Saturday, eight days before Easter. This year Clean Monday is observed on March 15, 2021 and Easter is celebrated on May 2, 2021 in the eastern branches of Christianity.
Why is it celebrated?
Today, many Christians celebrate Lent as a time to focus on the spiritual growth and discipline of their lives. These forty days are set aside for to fasting, prayer, Bible reading, and worship. It is a time of self-sacrifice to remember the great sacrifice that Jesus gave for us.
Why should I consider observing it?
The practice of observing Lent is something each believer must determine for themselves. Lent is not a biblically required observance, but the benefits of forty days of fasting, prayer, and study cannot be overlooked.
What about you?
Is Lent something you grew up doing? Is Lent something you have heard about but never knew the history? As we look forward to the celebration of Easter in a few short weeks, how are you planning to prepare?
