The Church’s year is so arranged that, beginning in Advent and progressing through the seasons, there is an annual reminder of all that God has done for us through Jesus Christ, his Son.

Christmas is, by now, a fading memory and as we enter the month of February, we prepare to observe the season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday (6th Feb).

Lent is nowhere to be found in the Bible, rather it is a tradition introduced by the early Church and kept in various forms over many centuries. Fasting, penance and self-denial perhaps sum up the ways in which Lent has been observed over the years. At one time Lent was a time of preparation for new converts to Christianity as they made themselves ready for baptism on Easter Day.

Today people tend to associate Lent with “giving something up” — chocolate, biscuits, cake or some other luxury. This may or may not be a useful exercise for some, but of greater value is the challenge to use Lent as an opportunity to draw closer to God and to wonder afresh at his wonderful love for us. It is a time to think again about Christ’s sacrifice for us when he died on the Cross, making it possible for all who believe in Him to receive forgiveness and a fresh start. It is a time, also, to prepare to celebrate Christ’s glorious Resurrection on Easter Day, assuring us of eternal life.

If we are to use Lent positively then we need to make a determined effort to allow God to speak to us in some new way. We can do this by reading one of the Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John), by reading a Christian book (there is a good selection on the Church bookstall and in the Church lending library) or by joining one of the home groups. Details of these appear elsewhere on this website as well as on the Nurture notice board in Church. Why not plan to join one of these groups, you will be most welcome.

Lent challenges us to spend more time in prayer, Bible study and worship, perhaps “fasting” from some leisure activity, in order that we might we see afresh the wonder of Christ’s love for us and, in response, commit our lives to him more fully, love him more deeply and resolve to serve him more faithfully.

A Prayer for Lent
(From the hymn by Katherine Agnes May Kelly 1869-1942)

Give me a sight, O Saviour, of Thy wondrous love for me
Of the love that brought Thee down to earth to die on Calvary

O make me understand it, help me to take it in
What it meant to Thee, the holy One
To bear away my sin.