Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent--a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Sometimes people give up something for Lent. This helps them stay mindful of what the Second Person of the Trinity gave up in leaving heaven to enter time and space. So let's say someone gives up chocolate for Lent. Every time someone offers them chocolate or they pass up a Godiva truffle, they remember and give thanks for the great sacrifice of our Lord. Then on Easter Sunday they have a melting chocolate cake or a they snarf a chocolate bunny. It totally adds to the celebration!

Many evangelicals do not celebrate Ash Wedesday. Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians and Lutherans do. The Anglican and Episcopal churches do, as well. And the mainline Protestant denominations do, too. Individual Christ-followers may wish to observe Ash Wednesday and Lent. The Book of Common Prayer can provide the structure for meditations preceding and including Holy Week.

Here's a link to my post last year on Shrove Tuesday in which I provide more detail.