The observance of the Lenten season, in many Christian traditions, is a time of preparing the heart for the yearly focus on remembering the Passion of Christ.
What does that mean for my family? This is a period of time that we do a Lenten version of the Jesse Tree. Each night we read an age-appropriate reading with the children, read some scripture and hang a little picture on the tree, as we recall again why Christ had to come and die. It is an opportunity (and I try and build as many opportunities into our day, week and year as I can) to teach my family the truths of the faith. We choose to fast from some particular things in order to spur us to recall regularly our need for His Wonderful Grace. My wife and I read a different book each year of thoughts on Lent by different authors. This year, we are reading Bread and Wine-Readings for Lent and Easter, which is a compilation of the writings of several authors, including C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Madeleine L'Engle and many others. And we will participate with a local Anglican congregation in some of their Liturgical services, which are, for us, wonderful celebrations of the awe-inspiring Gospel of Jesus that we thoroughly look forward to.
Do we "have" to do these things?
No.
Do they make us a little better in God's sight? Far from it. Kind of the reverse. They clear our vision a little bit, and help us to see Him in His majesty and mercy. And we are grateful.
Fat Tuesday is the English translation for "Mardi Gras". Today is "Fat Tuesday", "Shrove Tuesday", or, as we prefer, "Pancake Day"
Pancake Day? Yep. That's how it is referred to in many countries. The idea behind the tradition is that in many Christian traditions, Lent was a time of fasting. Depending on time in history and location, the fast was more, or less rigid, and so, because people knew they weren't going to be eating eggs, fat, milk, etc. for 40 days, and since those items would go bad, they would use them up. And what better way to use up those particular ingredients than whipping up a big batch of pancakes?
How wonderful is that?
So, if you really want to be justified before God, then you had better eat pancakes today. ***
***Sorry, that was a little justification humor. No man was ever justified by eating pancakes. I promise. Even if the pancakes were super-yummy filled ebelskivers! And even if the Ebelskivers were eaten as dessert after homemade pizza! Hmmm...I'm looking forward to supper tonight!
Have a Happy Pancake Day!
| Blueberry Ebelskivers! |
1 comment:
My dad made us apple ebelskivers a while back. Those things rock!
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