I am penning these words on a day that has become quite sacred in my life (as you will likely read this on Thursday, consider it your yesterday). Its calendar date is different every year, but always the same measure of days (46) separate it from the day that it points to. There are very different observations of the period of Lent. For some it is a strict period of fasting, with the exception of the six Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. For some it is a period of mild to severe abstinence that draws their heart and orients their life toward repentance. For me, this sacred calendar date dawns a period of advent to the coming solemn remembrance of Christ’s death and burial, and joyous celebration of His resurrection!
In the middle of the cold and darkness and dormancy of winter, breaks the dawn of anticipation of the warmth and light and life of spring. In the middle of the death that the darkness of our sin demands, breaks the joyous life that is ours because of the cross and Christ’s victory over the grave! This is not just a positive prescription for the winter blues, this is the Cure! It’s the truth that a cold and dark world needs for us to live in front of them. It is not a hint that resurrection is coming, it’s a reminder that it has already come!
It is not my purpose to invite you, or persuade you to observe Lent. I desire only to proclaim the advent of His death, burial and resurrection, and echo the words of Paul and the truth that changes our lives …
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
I Corinthians 15:3-4 (NIV)
“A baby changes everything” is rightly sung during the advent of Christ’s birth. Let’s sing and shout “He Lives!” as we begin the advent of His death, burial and resurrection. Let’s proclaim this to others “as of first importance” during this cold, dark period of winter that lies in wait for the bright, brilliant light and life of spring. He is the Light, He is the Life!
journey onWord with us 
He LIVES!! And because He lives, I have new LIFE. No, I have LIFE not new life. I once was dead, but now am alive.
A friend of mine in a thing called “Project|15” shared the following with me: Lent/Rest/Winter – a time to look inward, to not take in more food, but to examine what we’ve already taken in. The focus is not on what is “not” being taken in, but rather on what already exists. I liked that!
By: Jerry Willaman on February 14, 2013
at 11:55 am