As flowers bloom and spring approaches, Christians of several denominations participate in Lent. The ancient tradition of Lent serves as 40 days of self-discipline, sacrifice, and spiritual growth. Many people worldwide choose to participate in Lent due to the way it challenges them to reset and reflect.
The season of Lent officially began on March 5 with Ash Wednesday. At church services that evening, many believers received ashes in the shape of a cross on their forehead. The cross signifies repentance and a reminder of the fragility and beauty of life. From this moment until April 17, everyone observing Lent strives to add positive habits, grow more fruitful in their faith, and commit to giving up a worldly pleasure for the sake of their relationship with Christ.
How did Lent begin?
Lent has been a part of Christian history for over 1,700 years now, and the history behind this observation runs far deeper than simply a modern challenge. The word “Lent” derives from the Old English word “lencten”, which means springtime. Due to the fact that Lent takes place during the transition from winter to spring, this deems fitting.
The origin of Lent proves to serve as the driving force behind why people choose to actively participate in it every year.
In the early days of the Christian faith, believers spent extraneous periods preparing to be baptized, which often took place on Easter Sunday. In order to prepare for baptism, Christians spent 40 days praying, fasting, and studying. As time went on and the Christian faith began to progress, this practice began to expand beyond those getting baptized. This turned Lent into a season for all believers to be renewed and restored in Christ.
Significance behind 40 days
Although it may seem like a simplistic number, the reason behind the number 40 holds deep meaning in the Bible, making it incredibly symbolic during the observance of Lent.
One of the more common stories in the Bible takes place when Jesus fasted in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11). While there, Jesus faced a daunting amount of temptation as he prepared for ministry. Due to the fact that Lent serves as a time for believers to break free from temptation, this makes the number 40 incredibly significant.
In order to mirror the 40 days of fasting that Jesus made a commitment to, Christians made the choice to commit to a 40-day period of humility and self-denial, where they would focus on fasting and prayer.
How has Lent evolved over time?
The rules of Lent in the early centuries were much stricter than they are today. People often ate only one meal per day, and a wide variety of food groups were entirely off-limits (such as dairy, meat, and sweets). Although modern Lent looks quite different from the way it did in earlier centuries, the principle still stands: to rid yourself of distractions and reflect on faith, life, and the sacrifices that Jesus Christ made.
Why do people still observe Lent to this day?
Even though Lent originated almost 2,000 years ago, the message behind the observance still resonates today with millions of believers worldwide. In a world surrounded by distractions, temptation, and stress, Lent offers believers time to recharge their spiritual battery.
Going beyond the surface level, Lent proves to be much more than just a holiday for Christians, it serves as a time of growth. It’s about resetting your priorities and preparing your heart for what will happen next in your life. While the world seems to be ever-changing, the principle of Lent still sticks. The need for peace, renewal, and hope is just as strong today as it was 2,000 years ago, and this is why Lent sticks around despite the evolution of our world.
