What Lent and Weddings Have in Common

One the ways weddings become such a momentous and exciting event is the fact that there is an engagement period.  A couple announces their intent to be wed and sets a date.  Over a period of months, planning becomes paramount.  Flowers, dresses, guest lists, food, location, and a million other little details go into planning a wedding.  Anticipation builds as the wedding comes closer.  The ceremony begins, vows are given, rings exchanged, and finally the pronouncement (and the kiss)!  Usually, there is a joyous reception that follows which signals the end of waiting and celebrates the joining of two people together in marriage.

Lent is fast approaching.  A time in the Christian Church where preparations are made in anticipation of Easter.  Lent is a period of forty days before Easter (not counting Sundays). The word “lent” comes from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “spring” and refers to a season when the days become longer.

Many Christians question the usefulness of Lent.  “It’s Catholic.” or “It’s about punishment.” are typical responses to Lent.  Christians for hundreds of years have made Lent into a spiritual journey. However, many contemporary Christians ask, “Do I really need a structured way of preparing for Easter?” The answer is yes and no.  Yes, we do need structured ways to prepare ourselves for the most important celebration of the Christian life: The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, many free church Christians do not see a need to practice an ancient tradition that “forces” us to deprive ourselves of food or sweets.  But, the primary focus of Lent is not deprivation but of preparation.

In a world where institutional religion is losing ground, many Christians have turned back to the ancient practices of Christians.  Why?  Reading through history one begins to see the challenges of living in world of war, political change, persecution, economic instability, and how bitter civil disputes shook people’s faith.  The hope that God, through his Son, could change the world was sometimes all that people had to live on.

I once heard a college professor say, “If you decide to get married, remember: long courtships and short engagements.”  I always thought about how that bit of relationship wisdom encourages Christians to be intention about religious celebration.  In order to savor the celebration of Easter in a deeper way, why not have a period of “engagement” before Easter?  A period of time, like a courtship or engagement, in which Christians build anticipation, longing, connection, and hope for Easter morning.  Understanding Lent as that period of engagement before Easter enables us to make the “Hallelujahs” all that more powerful because we just endured 40 days of focused prayer, study, service, and sacrifice.

Lent is a time of focus and longing. Lent is also a time for contemplation on the fundamental values and priorities, and is not a time for self punishment. Throughout Lent, we look for new ways to reach out to others through service, worship, fellowship, devotion, spiritual disciplines, or study.

As Lent approaches, I encourage you to be intentional about how you prepare for the big day.  Think of ways that deepens your longing and love of God.  Like a groom longing for the bride on the wedding day, we want to rush through the wedding.  Let us not hastily rush through Lent, but welcome each day as another day to build excitement for Easter morning when we can say, “He is risen!  He is risen indeed!”