Can the gift of Lent become a year-round lifestyle?
One of my favorite hymns was written by Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848. He was a member of a religious group known as the Shakers here in the USA. It is called Simple Gifts:
'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.
Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right
'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,
Refrain
'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.
This is what Lent means to me, to live a simpler, more comtemplative life. I find myself less stressed, and more in tune with the needs of others, as I put my needs aside. I spend more time in fellowship with God and His Word, and ponder the Love that is so great, His Son Jesus chose to sacrfice Himself for my sins. That is the greatest gift of all!
Lent Meditation
Lent Meditation, 2007
A Lenten journey and meditation at the start of Lent 2007. The video represents the start of our church's journey through Lent with a focus on the Biblical narratives alongside current social issues and events. The video preceding this one focused on poverty and asked wheather we (individually and corporately) are 'just'. This video picks up that thread and offers the opportunity to continue to seek some answers to those questions as well as to enter into a time of spiritual preparation - Lent. The Labarynth is an image that will be used throughout the Lenten services this year as we stop along the way to meditate and focus on/consider the relationship between the Lenten Scripture readings and local, national and global issues.
Runtime: 5:07
1971 views
3 Comments:
Basic Facts About Lent
Terms, symbolism and reasons for Lent
Lent is the period of fasting leading up to the feast of Easter, recalling Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness. Western Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends liturgically on the morning of Holy Thursday, although Lenten penance continues through Holy Saturday. In 2009, Lent begins on February 25 in the Western Church.Liturgical Color(s): Violet (Purple)
Type of Holiday: Fast
Time of Year: Immediately following Ordinary Time after Epiphany; varies
Duration: Liturgically Lent lasts 44 Days, and includes Sundays. The traditional Lenten fast is observed for 40 days, starting on Ash Wednesday, going through Holy Week, excluding Sundays.
Celebrates/Symbolizes: Jesus' wilderness fast; Preparation for Easter
Alternate Names: Great Lent
Scriptural References: Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13
Click here to learn more about Lent.
Lenten Meditation 2
How Is Lent Observed?
The purpose of Lent is to be a season of fasting, self-denial, Christian growth, penitence, conversion, and simplicity. Lent, which comes from the Teutonic word for springtime, can be viewed as a spiritual spring cleaning: a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our corporate and personal relationships with Jesus Christ and our service to him.There are a few basic tasks that traditionally have been associated with Lent. Many of these have a long history. These are fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. In addition, reading the Scriptures and the Church's Writings can help one grow during Lent.
Click here to learn more about Lent.
Discover More About Lent on Amazon
Learn more about Lent, or choose simple living alternatives for the whole year
Fasting During Lent
What it means to "give it up" for Lent
When we "give something up" for Lent, we are embracing a form of fasting, an excellent spiritual discipline. Some people choose to give up sins (gossip, drunkenness, etc) for Lent. In this way, Lent represents a spiritual training time to overcome evil.Some give up things they have an inordinate desire for, e.g. sweets, caffeine, etc. By giving these up, the person fasting learns to control a particular part of his or her life, which leads to greater self-discipline even when Lent is over. As such in Lent we are able to learn, examine, and get under control our material excesses.
Whatever you decide to fast from, remember, as Steven Clark likes to say: "Lent is more than a diet." Lent is about spiritual results, not material ones. So, while losing a few pounds may be a nice side benefit, all fasting should be done for God's glory and spiritual growth.
Click here to learn more about Lent.
Passion of Christ
Passion of Christ
This is a video I created during my Lenten meditation. It features photos of the stations of the cross at my church, and the music in the background is Pablo Casal's "O Vos Omnes" as sung by our parish choir.
Runtime: 3:32
2241 views
2 Comments:
Lenten Link List
Resources to help during Lent, or anytime
- ChurchYear.net
- Lent History, Information, Prayers, Resources, Traditions, & More
- The Beginning of Lent
- Christian History & Biography
- Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
- A History of Lent: Ancient Opportunity for Spiritual Renewal
- Faith Clipart
- Lent: A Season of Christian Fasting and Self-Sacrifice
- Bible Gateway.com
- Over 50 online Bibles in 35 languages, in text & audio format
- International Bible Society:Non-English Online Bible Resources
- We have many non-English Bibles and New Testaments online.
- Simple Living 3
- Ideas for simple living during Lent, or throughout the year.
- Easter Dating Method
- Check out this site if you ever wanted to know how the date of Easter is calculated. Put on your thinking cap, you're in for a LONG ride.
Prayer During Lent
Lent is a good time to develop or strengthen a discipline of daily prayer.
A good goal for Lent would be to read Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer everyday. If you already do that, perhaps you could add noon or night prayer (also called Compline). Contemplative prayer, based around the idea of silence or listening for God, is also well suited to Lent. There are also many excellent form prayers that reflect the penitential mood of Lent. We can also find many excellent prayers for Lent from the Scriptures.Click here for a list of prayers for Lent.
How do you observe Lent?
Click here to learn more about Lent.
Almsgiving/Charity/Simple Living During Lent
While Lent is about giving something up, it is also about putting something positive in its place.
The best way to remove vice is to cultivate virtue. Lent has been a traditional time of helping the poor and doing acts of charity and mercy. While as Christians this is a year round calling, Lent is a good time to examine ways to get involved and to make resolutions to actually do them.Giving alms can be done in more ways than just giving out money to people on the street. It can be done by helping your family, friends, and neighbors out of tight situations or being more generous to everyone you meet. However, one of the best ways to give alms is to get out of your comfort zone a little bit, maybe by volunteering for a charity or a shelter.
Maybe the money you save by not going for that morning coffee or restaurant lunch could be donated so that others may enjoy a nutritious meal, have a place to stay, or find a new life through counseling and rehab. Live simply, so that others may simply live.
Click here to find the charity of your choice.
Click here to learn more about Lent.
Lenten Thoughts
Lenten thoughts
Its my turn on the blog so I decided I'd do todays lent post a little differently.
Runtime: 3:58
390 views
1 Comments:
Scripture Reading/Meditation During Lent
When facing temptation in the desert, Jesus relied on Scripture to counter the wiles of the devil.
It is a formidable weapon for us as well. Biblical illiteracy among Christians of all types is rampant. Lent is an excellent time to remedy this problem.Click here to find the Bible online.
Click here for daily Scripture readings and meditations for Lent.
Click here to learn more about Lent.
Share your thoughts about Lent
Was this lens helpful to you?
Click here to learn more about Lent.
gods_grace_notes wrote...
Things have taken a back seat in my heart, too. The gifts we call "things" are often the "miracle" that someone in need has been crying out for, things that embody the love of Christ to them. Oh, that we all may be such instruments, during the season of Lent, and everyday of our lives. Connie *****
Posted January 31, 2008
badmsm wrote...
Lent has taken on a special meaning for me since I traveled and worked in Africa. I find I don't want THINGS anymore. My extra money is usally spent to help others.
Posted January 30, 2008
This Lens Constructed By A Bonafide Giant Squid! Look For The Giant Squid Badge of Honor- Your Assurance Of Quality On Squidoo
Click here to start building your own lenses on Squidoo!
