Observing Lent

Not all Christians observe the Christian Year, and even those who recognise the main festivals of Easter and Christmas etc do not always pay much regard to Advent or Lent, still less Candlemas or All Souls!

Some quote Scripture in support of this, citing passages such as Galatians 2: 8-11 and Colossians 2: 16-17 where Paul laments the ongoing ‘enslavement’ of Christians to the observance of Jewish Festivals and special days.

Now, while I have been accused, on more than one occasion, of being a ‘fundamentalist’ with regard to the observance of the seasons of the Christian Year (and especially in regard to some of my comments on Advent observance – or the lack thereof!) I am in fact very relaxed about how any individual Christian does or does not observe the days and seasons of the Christian Year. There is no room for legalism here (or anywhere). My oft stated concerns about Advent are more in relation to how difficult it can be for those of us who choose to try and observe that season, to do so, due to the early intrusion of Christmas, not simply in shops and society in general, but also in the Church.

But – apart from the early appearance of Easter Eggs in shops – the same considerations do not seem to apply to Lent, and those of us who are minded to observe some form of Lenten discipline and focus on the somewhat more sombre and sober themes of this season, are free to do so. After all, very few in the church (even amongst those who ‘hang loose’ to the Christian year) suggest we sing a rousing rendition of ‘Thine be the Glory’ in Holy Week!

I suppose, for me, my choosing to observe seasons such as this period of Lent, has to do with my appreciation of rhythms and patterns in life, the challenge and enrichment I find in sometimes having to seriously ponder themes in our faith that I might naturally tend to avoid, my strong sense of being part of a tradition in which I share in the ancient patterns of Christian observance built upon the ancient wisdom of the saints of all ages, and the awareness I have of observing the Seasons of the Christian Year in the company of millions globally – serving as a reminder that the Christian faith is a truly communal faith and that I am part of a community. Christianity is more than just ‘me and Jesus’!

And on Easter Sunday the ‘Hallelujahs’ will, for me, ring out all the more joyfully because they have fallen silent through Lent, and the light of the celebration of the Resurrection will shine so much more brightly because I will make the journey through the dark days of our Lord’s Passion through Holy Week.