Dear friends in Christ, We are now into the season of Lent, which will last through the entire month of March. But what is the purpose of the season of Lent? I’m glad you asked! We often just associate Lent with “giving something up,” not eating meat on Fridays, and being extra sorry for our sins. But that doesn’t really help us understand “the what and why of Lent.” Our observation of the season of Lent is not for the purpose of punishing us or making us feel bad or guilty, but rather it is to give us hope when we feel overwhelmed by the sin, death, chaos, and darkness in the world. Lent is a time to grow in our faith and to be reminded that our merciful God is with us even in our suffering. So, here is a little lesson about what Lent is: The word LENT comes from the Anglo-Saxon word that means “spring” or “springtime.” Taken literally, the word means that this is the item of the year when the days lengthen. This season of the church year is a time of preparation, reflection, growth, and change. As God’s people take the time to learn more about God and their relationship to God and to others, the season before Easter can be seen as the springtime of the would—a time of growth in faith and a time to nurture the faith that is already theirs. The Christian faith centers around the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We need to see this event from both sides—before and after—because each side of the story is incomplete without the other. The season of Lent began in the early church as a time for preparing new converts for Baptism on Easter. By the middle of the fourth century, a 40-day preparation period has been established. During that time candidates for baptism fasted and heard lectures from early church leaders. Later, the season of Lent became a time for all Christians to prepare for Easter. It remains a 40-day long period, not counting Sundays, since all Sundays are considered “Little Easters,” celebrating the resurrection. The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues until Easter morning. By the year 400 AD the early Christian church had established this period of 40 days. It became a time of self-discipline and harsh self-examination, and during the Middle Ages, the season of Lent was so strict that people dreaded its coming. Through time, the harsh demands and expectations have been softened and relaxed. People today look to Lent as a time of growth and change. They often include fasting or restriction of some of their favorite foods or drinks during the 40 days. Some people spend more time in prayer and meditation while other give up habits they think are unnecessary. Still others search to discover how they can share God’s love with others in the world in meaningful ways. Purple is the color associated with the season of Lent. It is a solemn color, reminiscent of royalty and repentance. It reflects the serious and somber nature of this time in the life of the church. Adapted from Before and After Easter by Debbie Trafton O’Neal This year may the season of Lent be a time that re-roots you in your faith. May this season offer you hope and peace as you refocus your attention on the gift of God’s love for you in Jesus. Each week in worship, we begin our children’s time by saying, “Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. The Light no darkness can overcome.” Lent is a time for us to remember the truth of this proclamation. As we gather in worship this season, and again move through the story of Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, crucifixion, death, and finally resurrection, we experience the attempt by the darkness to win. And once again, we experience the victory of light over darkness, of life over death, of love over hate. This victory is for us; it is for us to know and celebrate and participate in. This victory, that is the love of Jesus, is for us to share in the world. Thanks be to God. Pastor Kari