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Remembering is important. Lent is all about remembrance. It’s a 40 day period when we remember Jesus’ journey to the cross.
His journey to the cross began in the wilderness. He was tempted far beyond what any of us will face. And what was His weapon? The Word. He knew God’s promises because He was the Promise. He was in the Father and the Father was in Him, so He could quote chapter and verse and send the enemy packing.
He fasted to show that “man does live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” He showed us that we are more than bodies, and more than our bodily wants. Our spirit must be fed also. We can fast–from food, TV, facebook, anything that could become a distraction from spending time with the Father, anything that keeps our hearts from the true Source of Life.
Lent is also like communion every day, “Do this in remembrance of me.” We remember His body and blood shed for us. He came to give us life, both now and forevermore. We cannot forget that we were ransomed, that we were bought for a price. It cost God something–His Son. Anytime I think that I’ve done something great, or achieved some goal, and think I’ve accomplished it on my own, I forget Him.
I need grace every day. I need to remember His life, His suffering, His death, His victory. Through mercy, His victory becomes ours.
One way to remember during Lent is with a devotional. Christianbook.com is offering free email devotionals which will run from Ash Wednesday, February 17th through Easter, April 4th, Monday – Friday.
To receive Free Lent Devotional emails, sign up here:
As I was growing up I was unaware of Advent. It wasn’t part of my church’s traditions. We celebrated Christmas certainly, with songs, pageants, and gifts. I particularly remember one time in junior high when I played an angel. We sang “Angels We Have Heard in High” and I made a halo out of gold star garland wire. It’s still sitting in my old bedroom. But Advent is a more recent addition to my holiday mindset. I was introduced to it by the church I now attend through the use of the Advent wreath. I now have an advent wreath at home. This will be the third Christmas that my husband and I will light the candles and say the prayers.
Now, it’s not the act itself of lighting a candle that makes me remember and anticipate the coming of Christ. It’s not a formula. But it does help. I forget all that God has done and need the reminder. Somewhere in my reading, it was said that ritual and ceremony aren’t really for God. He doesn’t need our worship and adoration. He can certainly exist and be glorious without us, but practices like lighting advent wreaths, or keeping an advent calendar help us look to Him. And when we pause and look to him in the midst of the daily craziness of life, we worship.