A season of introspection ... then CELEBRATION!
As a church, Crossings does consider the importance of the Christian calendar as part of our rich experience and heritage. We know that the remembrances of Christmas and Easter reflect the historical birth and resurrection of Christ and lend great meaning and impact to our faith. Furthermore, we recognize that Advent and Lent are those days leading up to Christmas and Easter respectively. The following is a brief overview of the special days ahead as we journey towards Easter.
Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and evaluation. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. Many folks decide to spend time in meditation, in prayer, in fasting from certain foods, and in seeking the heart and will of God for their lives. It may mean asking for forgiveness, repentance, and mercy. Maybe spending time in solitude or in community will be of benefit. Many see this as an opportunity to draw closer as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
By observing the forty days of Lent (forty days excluding Sundays), the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. We began this season on Ash Wednesday, February 17, and will conclude with Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday (March 28) and ends with Easter Sunday (April 4).
You are invited to travel this road with many others at Crossings as well as Christians around the world. "Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing" (Joel 2:12-13 NRSV). And in returning to the Lord, we will celebrate with the heavenly hosts as Easter dawns once again.