What is Lent?

Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, which is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. During this time, some people give up something important to them while others spend more time in prayer or bible Study or service in the community. Making a sacrifice, even a small one, helps people recall the great sacrifice Christ made for us.

Lent last 40 days, beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 6 and ending at sunset on Easter eve, March 23.

Death and Resurrection are hard concepts for children (and adults) to understand and often at church we refer to the resurrection as ‘coming alive again in a new and special way’ in order to use language young children can understand.

LENT TRIVIA

The annual date for Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon of the Spring equinox

Lent always lasts 40 weekdays and six Sundays.

The idea of time of preparation before a religious festival dates back to the laws given in the Torah (first five books of the Bible).

Sundays are not counted in Lent, since Sundays are always considered to be ‘little Easters.’

The Council of Nicaea, in A.D. 325 extended Lent from 40 hours to 40 days.

Why eggs at Easter? Eggs represent new life.

Origin of the word from Anglo Saxon “Lenten” meaning “spring.”

Forty days: symbolic of Jesus’ trial and preparation in the wilderness after his baptism and before the beginning of his ministry.

Many references in Bible to 40 days, such as Noah’s ark, Moses Fasted 40 days before receiving Commandments, Israelites wandered desert for 40 years before entering Promished land.

Forty days is approximately 10 percent of the year.

Why ‘good’ Friday? Good may refer to the great good God was able to accomplish for people in bringing to life the Christ.