Lent kind of snuck up on me this year. Actually I don’t think it had actually occurred to me at all until I started to see Facebook updates about what people are and aren’t giving up this season.
Audrey said she is giving up soda and chocolate… Katie isn’t sure but is considering queso dip… and Marianne hasn’t announced it on FB but I know that each year she swears off sweets.
Like I said, I haven’t given it any thought at all, but now I’m wondering if I shouldn’t think something up real quick. Last year we (as a family) gave up fast food, which was actually pretty successful. We talked about giving up eating out all together, but decided that was not likely to happen. Maybe we should do fast food again, I don’t know. Unless Chipotle qualifies, then I am out.
One year Andy gave up beer. We both hope to never go through that again.
What is Lent, anyway? Wikipedia says:
Lent in the Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. Lent is a time of sacrifice for Jesus. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
But really, I go back and forth on the idea of giving something up – is it really used as a time of sacrifice and preparation for some spiritual end, or is it more of a starting-over-because-I-screwed-up-my-New-Year’s-resolutions-two-months-ago kind of thing?
I’m not sure. I suppose it could go either way. And, of course, I am easily influenced and could go either way as well – so convince me people… what, if anything, do you do (or not do!) during Lent?
I’ve never given anything up (shocker) because I have no discipline. But maybe I should take something ON this year…like exercise. I might be better at adding something I don’t like!
I think ADDING something productive to your life is extremely important. Whether it is exercise, making an effort to be more present and spend more time with your children, or eating healthier…adding something productive seems to make more sense than giving something up… I realize Lent is supposed to be a time of sacrifice, but like you said with Andy and his beer, is me giving up chocolate or Diet Coke really going to make ANYONE’S life more peaceful?!?!?!
The answer to that is a resounding NO!!!! Trust me.
I think maybe you should sacrifice something and turn it into something good. Like take the money you save giving up fast food and give it to a local food bank. Lent is about understanding the suffering of Christ, but at the end we need to remember the joy!
I made the irrational decision last night to deactivate my facebook account for lent. My left eye is already twitching.
My denomination doesn’t actually practice Lent, but maybe we should. I like the spirit of it. I love the verse in Acts which says,”Jesus went about doing good.” As an expression of our faith during Lent and every day, this is a good theme verse. It’s not about what we do for Him, bu about what He did for us and a desire to follow His example.
When I grew up, the only thing Lent meant to me was fish sticks in the school cafeteria on Fridays. As a grownup, I see all the people around me giving up things for Lent, and I can’t seem to do it. Anything I could give, feels paltry and insignificant when compared to Christ’s sacrifice. So instead, I choose to spend the Lenten season seriously developing my relationship with Him. Finding ways to express my gratitude, ways to acknowledge his astounding gift to me.
I don’t do anything. I don’t find doing this in scripture. I thank the Lord everyday for what He did for me and wouldn’t dare try to compare giving up some petty vice to His death on the cross to pay for my sins. PTL He did it all!
I don’t think it’s about comparing Christ sacrifice as remembering it. Some people find it’s useful during Lent to give something up that they normally do so that when they start to do it, they are reminded of Christ’s death and resurrection. One year I gave up knitting, so every time I went to knit, I remembered what Christ did for me. Also, Lent is six weeks, so after six weeks a habit can be formed. So after lent is over and I went back to knitting, I was already in the habit of think about the Lord more than before Lent started. It’s not for everyone, but can be really useful.
I’m a Baptist, we don’t “do” Lent.
UP
I’m giving up shopping for myself this year for Lent. Like, NOTHING extra (I have a bit of a Target problem). I see it as a sacrifice and a gain at the same time.
Some people add things during Lent. Like reading a devotion as a family. Here’s a good resource: http://www.faithink.com/inkubators/faith5.asp. It only take 5 minutes and it gets your kids talking to you when they are young… so that they will hopefully keep talking to you when they are older and are making high risk decisions. I made a family devotional for for families during Lent, if you want one.
I love Lent and Advent and think they are really, really great for spiritual growth. During these times of the year, I always say that people can walk right through the mysteries of Easter and Christmas and barely even know they are there. Lent and Advent help us to get ready for Easter and Christmas. Oh the church calender, I heart you.
I meant, I say that during the childrens’ sermons that I give at church. I didn’t make it up through. It’s part of the Godly Play series, which is the best, best, best Sunday school material in the world.