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Get ready to embark on a spiritual journey as we mark the start of Lent on February 14. This time-honored tradition, celebrated by Christians around the world, spans 40 days in reverence of the time Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert. Lent's origin can be traced back to the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, making it one of Christianity's oldest observances. It is a period of somber reflection, prayer, fasting, and self-discipline, serving as spiritual preparation for the celebration of Easter. The fact that Lent begins on Valentine's Day this year only amplifies its deep message of love and sacrifice. Reconnect with your faith, find inner strength, and welcome Lent with open minds and hearts.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>325</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Council of Nicea</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Council of Nicea establishes the framework for early Christian ritual observances, including Lent.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>600s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Pope Gregory Mandate</div><div class='timeline-text'>Pope Gregory the Great fixes Lent to be a 40-day period of fasting and penance, symbolizing Jesus' 40 days in the desert.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1400s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rise of Fasting</div><div class='timeline-text'>The practice of fasting during Lent becomes more widespread among ordinary parishioners and not just monastic communities.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1700s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Lent in American Colonies</div><div class='timeline-text'>Early American Christian colonists observe Lent, albeit with variations compared to European practices due to the harsh colonial conditions.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1966</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Fast and Abstinence Rules</div><div class='timeline-text'>Pope Paul VI loosens the Catholic Church's rules on fasting and abstinence during Lent allowing for greater flexibility for individual believers.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Modern-day Lent Practices</div><div class='timeline-text'>While fasting has become optional for many Christians, Lenten practices of self-denial, prayer, and charity continue to be widely practiced in contemporary times.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Commit to daily prayer or meditation</h3><p class='facts-text'>Lent is about spiritual growth and connecting with your faith. Try to set aside some time each day for silence, prayer, or meditation. This is a way to deepen your relationship with God and reflect on Christ’s sacrifice.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Volunteer your time for charity</h3><p class='facts-text'>Christianity teaches love and compassion. Lent is the perfect time to put these teachings into action by volunteering. Take this time to serve those in your community who are less fortunate.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Sacrifice a luxury item</h3><p class='facts-text'>Give up a luxury item, such as chocolate or favorite shows during Lenten season as a form of fasting. This represents Jesus’ sacrifice in the desert and allows you to practice self-discipline.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Join a Bible study group</h3><p class='facts-text'>Participate in an organized study of the Bible with others in your community. This provides an opportunity for deeper understanding of your faith and personal growth.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Keep a gratitude journal</h3><p class='facts-text'>During Lent, take a moment each day to reflect on and write down what you are grateful for. This can help you better appreciate the blessings in your life, reinforcing the theme of humility during this solemn period.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Lent deepens our spiritual connection</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Lent encourages us to engage in self-discipline and contemplation, mirroring the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. It is a period of devout observation where Christians around the world fast, pray, and meditate, deepening their spiritual connection with God and Christ.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promotes selflessness and sacrifice</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Through fasting and giving up luxuries, Lent encourages sacrifice and selflessness. This act is significant as it represents Jesus’ sacrifice in the desert and allows Christians to practice humility and discipline, aligning oneself with virtue.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It encourages charity and gratitude</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Lent is a time when Christians are encouraged to volunteer and serve the less fortunate in their community, embodying love and compassion. Keeping a gratitude journal during this period also helps comprehend life's blessings, promoting appreciation and humility throughout this solemn period.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Lent Does Not Always Begin on Wednesday</h3><p class='facts-content'>While Western Christianity generally observes Ash Wednesday as the start of Lent, in Eastern Orthodox traditions Lent begins on Clean Monday, a day earlier than the Western observance.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Number 40 Has Significant Biblical References</h3><p class='facts-content'>The practice of observing Lent for 40 days is significant as the number '40' is sacred to the Judeo-Christian tradition, appearing frequently in the Bible. For example, the great flood lasted 40 days and 40 nights, Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness, and Jesus fasted for 40 days.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Word 'Lent' Originates from Old English</h3><p class='facts-content'>"Lent" comes from an old English word ‘lencten’ which means spring - referring to the season of the year in which Lent usually occurs.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Palm Crosses are Used to Make Ashes for Ash Wednesday</h3><p class='facts-content'>The ashes used on Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent in many Christian traditions, are typically made by burning the palm crosses that were blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Some Christian Denominations Do Not Observe Lent</h3><p class='facts-content'>While many Protestant and all Roman Catholic churches observe Lent, certain Christian denominations such as most Baptist and non-denominational churches, do not traditionally observe the season.</p></div></div>
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