For those of us who use “liturgical seasons” to guide us through the “church year,” Lent is upon us beginning this Wednesday, which is known as Ash Wednesday.

Consisting of 40 days before Easter, not counting the Sundays, Lent has significant and interesting history and meaning.

Did you know?

1. The original period of Lent was 40 hours. It was spent in fasting to commemorate the suffering of Christ. Then it became 30 days, then 36 and, finally, in the reign of Charlemagne, about 800 AD, 40 days, not including Sundays.

2. The 40 days of Lent correspond to Christ's 40 days in the wilderness, being tempted by the devil.

3. The date of Lent is determined by the date of Easter. The Council of Nicaea determined in 325 AD that Easter would be observed on the first Sunday following the 14th day of the Paschal moon.

4. The earliest that Lent can begin is Feb. 5. That happened last in 1818 and will not occur again during the 20th century.

5. The latest that Lent can start is March 10. It won't be that late again until 2038. As you can see, this year's Lent has a very late start.

6. Lent comes from the old English word for spring, “lenten.” The wearing of sackcloth and ashes is a custom going back to Old Testament times. Many Christians remember this custom on Ash Wednesday by marking foreheads with an ash cross, using the ashes of the previous year's burned Palm Sunday palms.

7. The day before Ash Wednesday, Shrove Tuesday, is celebrated in many parts of the world with feasting. The French call it Mardi Gras, the Germans call it Fasching. The feasting comes from the custom of using up household fats prior to the 40 days of Lenten fasting when no fat is used.

The one fact you must know...

These facts about Lent are interesting, but they are not really very important. The one important fact in your life is this — that Jesus Christ died that your sins can be forgiven.

A fact so simple... so familiar to many... so ignored by many... so unknown to so many... yet so huge... so wonderful that it is hard to grasp. That is why Christians observe Lent — to set 40 days aside to think about Christ's death and what it means in their lives.

Lent gives you another chance to think about your sins and what it means that Christ died for them. It gives you another chance to review your life, another chance to grow in faith and love.

Lent is a time to be close to God — closer than you have ever been. It is a time to attend worship more regularly, to pray more often, to read the Bible more diligently and to spread the Word of God more earnestly.

This Lenten season can be the most important 40 days in your life — your life here and now — and in determining where you will spend your eternal life.

The Rev. Justin Kollmeyer is senior pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Ga. Highway 314 in Fayetteville. Ash Wednesday services are 6 p.m. for families with small children and 7:15 p.m. for all. Ash crosses drawn on the forehead will be available for each worshipper if desired. The public is invited. For information phone 770-461-3403.

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