The Season of Lent

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is the forty days (Sundays don't count because each Sunday is a little Easter) period during which we remember Jesus' temptation in the desert following his baptism. It helps us get ready for Holy Week and the celebration of the resurrection at Easter. Most folks associate Lent with fasting or giving up something. This is one lenten tradition, but there are others. For example, we stop saying the word "allelulia" beginning on Ash Wednesday. We do not say it again until the Great Vigil of Easter when we kindle the new fire and light the paschal candle.

It can be hard to keep a "holy Lent"at home as the Prayer Book invites us to. But here are some themes you can share at home as a family during this season. Lent is:

-a time for looking at the things we have done that are wrong and asking forgiveness
of God and those we have wronged.
-a time to grow closer to God by either giving up something or adding something to our lives that helps us focus more on God.
-a time to think about new ways to show our love for others as God shows God's love for us.
-a time to remember our baptismal promises and try to live into them (check out pg. 304 in the Book of Common Prayer for a refresher!)*

The seasonal color for Lent is purple - it is both the color of penitience and the color of royalty. In the words of the Godly Play story the Mystery of Easter, "Purple is the color of kings. We are preparing for the coming of a king and his going and coming again . . . purple is a serious color and it reminds us that something sad is going to happen." (The Complete Guide to Godly Play, Vol. 4, pgs 29-20). The purple color reminds us that Jesus must die before he can rise again.

There are many ways to incorporate purple into your family life during Lent. A purple scarf in the middle of the table or purple placemats are easy wasy to remind your family daily. Lent is a good time to write a family grace if you don't have a favorite. Learn it together and share it when you are together. Paper chains are another easy way to bring the seasons of the church year into your home. Perhaps each family member might want to write the name of someone or something they are praying for on one of the rings each day and the entire family can share that intention in silence together for a moment before mealtime or bedtime. Small purple napkins can be tucked into your child's lunch box or backpack with a note like "I love you and so does God" or "I am praying for you today." Little things like this connect us to one another and to our larger Christian family - past, present and future!

Be creative! Lent can be a refreshing and nurturing time for us as individuals and families. If you have a family lenten tradition you would like to share, please write about it in the comments so that others can try it at home too!

Faithfully,
Elizabeth

*Adapted from: The New Prayer Book Guide to Chrisitan Education, edited by Joe Russell