This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission from purchased products at no additional cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
Have you ever encountered someone in February with a dark marking on their forehead, mostly in the shape of the cross? This mark symbolizes the first day of Lent for many small church congregations.
It was always a curious thing to me when I was younger, especially when many of my young classmates and teachers would all show up to school with this very obvious mark. They explained that it was part of their Catholic church tradition of celebrating Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday was also the kick-off to the Lenten season. As a Christian who grew up in a traditional Protestant church that didn’t observe these practices, I was intrigued by these traditions and wanted to find out more about them. Recently, I have discovered that more and more Protestant churches are participating in Ash Wednesday and Lent observations.
In our own Facebook Community, we have seen the broad variety of services, practices, and traditions that are celebrated. But the main focus is always on bringing us to a deeper appreciation for all that Jesus went through for us!
We hope this article can help shed light and answer questions about some of these practices. We also encourage you to find your own ways to participate in the Lenten season. And if you participate in Lent, that it impacts your overall Easter experience.
What Does Ash Wednesday Mean?
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, the 40-day season of reflection and repentance leading up to Easter. The ashes placed on the forehead in the shape of a cross are an ancient sign of mourning and repentance, and a reminder that “you were made from dust, and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3:19). For many Christians, it’s a day of quiet reflection as they prepare their hearts for Easter.
When Is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday doesn’t fall on the same date each year because it’s tied to Easter, which moves annually. It always lands 46 days before Easter Sunday — the 40 days of Lent plus the six Sundays, which aren’t counted as fast days. In 2027, Ash Wednesday falls on February 10.
What Is Lent And What’s the History Behind It
If you know the history of the Early Christian Church, you may recognize the name of the Council of Nicaea. This council was comprised of a group of representatives from several church denominations who met to talk about the definition of the trinity and deity of Jesus Christ. They also determined the process by which a date for the observation of Easter each year would be observed by all the Christian churches.
After the date for Easter was established, the council also instituted the observance of Lent. Lent would be marked as a period of 40 days of fasting prior to the celebration of Easter. Why 40 days? It is a reminder of the 40 days of temptation and fasting Jesus went through in the wilderness prior to the start of His earthly ministry. The earthly ministry began His journey that led Him to the cross. Lent was set to be a season of preparation and focus to help believers in the Early Christian church meditate on the incredible sacrifice Jesus made for us.
The majority of Catholic churches and some of the Liturgical Protestant churches began to observe Lent right away. Gradually, more and more Protestant churches began to join in.
The Observance Of Ash Wednesday
In AD 601, Pope Gregory established the official first day of the Lenten season as “Ash Wednesday.’ He was also responsible for starting the tradition of marking church members’ foreheads with ashes in the shape of a cross. But why ashes?
The Meaning Of The Ashes
The Old Testament speaks of using sackcloth and ashes as an outward sign of mourning, repentance, and grief. Many people would repent (or make a public request for forgiveness or a desire to turn away) from their wrongdoings by wearing sackcloth and putting ashes on themselves or sitting on an ash heap. Early Christians would also do this to show their grief and sadness about a situation.
Today, the observance of Ash Wednesday still sees many believers coming forward in their churches to receive the outward sign of the cross on their forehead. This cross is a symbol of mourning the fact Jesus had to die because of our sins. It is also a sign of our repentance of those sins and the realization the cross is our only true hope for life anew.
As Genesis 3:19 (NLT) tells us, “…For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”
Interestingly, the ashes used in the ceremonies for the first day of Lent are created by burning the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration. Palm Sunday is the last Sunday of the Lenten season. The last Sunday in Lent leads us into Holy Week, culminating in the celebration of Resurrection Sunday or Easter. On Palm Sunday, people threw palm branches on the road to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem just days before he was crucified.
Why Should We Observe Ash Wednesday?
The season of Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect, pray, and repent for our sins. During this time, many Christians make sacrifices or commit to obligatory days of fasting throughout the 40 days of Lent. They see this as a time of spiritual fasting. It is a time to give up something in honor of all Jesus gave up for us.
It is a tradition from the Early Christian Church for many followers to fast from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and on all of Lent’s Fridays. Many Catholic churches still observe these traditions.
Today, many variations of fasting can hold a deeper meaning than abstaining from meat. Many people vow to fast from negative thoughts, gossiping, social media, binge-watching shows, alcohol, and much more. New traditions popping up in churches today include adding things to your life for this time of Lent instead of taking them away. Add things to deepen your spiritual growth and connection with God. Activities like setting aside designated times to meditate and pray, visiting shut-ins or others in your church, and volunteering in your community can deepen your faith, spiritual growth, and connection with God.
Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is a day when Christians may attend a worship service. This day is meant to be one of quiet reflection. Many churches offer services that are subdued, lit by candles, have scripture readings, offer times of quiet prayers and songs, and culminate in the chance to come forward to receive the mark of the cross on your forehead from the Pastor or Priest.
Giving Can Add Meaning To Lent
In many churches, church members are encouraged to use the Lenten season as a time of giving. Some churches refer to it as the ‘Giving of alms’ (money or other charitable gifts) that are used to benefit the poor. This is another ancient Lent season tradition derived from the Early Christian church.
Believers are encouraged to give the money they would have used to purchase an item they are fasting from during Lent. Instead of purchasing the item, take the money and donate it to those in need or to the church. This act of giving and selflessness can add a deeper meaning to the sacrifice they made by fasting from something they enjoy.
This truly exemplifies how Jesus lived, showing kindness to those in need.
How Do You Spend the First Day of the Season of Lent
So, how will you spend Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent? Lent is a time many people in small churches put it on their calendars and pause, reflect, and prepare for Easter!
We can observe Ash Wednesday and start the season of Lent in our homes in all kinds of ways. If you have children, this is a great time to teach them about the character of Christ and how we can follow His example in our daily lives. These activities can be a rewarding experience for everyone in your family. Celebrating Lent can deepen your faith and create a great way to strengthen the bond among your family members.
Read More:
Celebrate Lent In Your Children’s Ministry
