What is Pancake Day and the season of Lent?

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Saturday. The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing to begin his ministry.

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.

Traditionally, in the UK, on the day before Lent begins, we eat pancakes as a symbol of giving up luxurious foods. This day is known as Shrove Tuesday.  ‘Shrove’ means to forgive.  In much of the world the day is known as Mardi Gras (‘fat Tuesday’) and is marked by a carnival.

Lent is both a time of laying down and of picking up. Here are some things you might like to follow during these 40 days ...

Give up Social media and spend more time with friends  ...  Write a letter to a friend you've not seen for a long time  ...  Go sugar free for Lent  …  Pray for those who are homeless  ...  Take more walks and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation  …  Do a bread and water fast for a day and pray for those who are hungry  …  Pray for areas of our world that are in conflict  …  Commit to re-cycling more and use less plastic  …  Encourage TEN people today  …  Give to a worthy charity  …  Practise a greater level of patience  …  Keep a thankfulness journal  …  Say something nice to a complete stranger  …  Give up alcohol  …  Commit to budgeting your money more wisely  …  Let go of jealousy, anger and unforgiveness  …  Pick up litter around your community  …  Light a candle and say a prayer for someone you know who is unwell  …  Send an anonymous gift to someone who is lonely  …  Make something nice for someone you love  …  Smile more  …  Take some flowers to an elderly neighbour  …  Buy lunch for a homeless person  …  Find a good cause you can volunteer for  …  Pray for those who experience mental health challenges  …  Have a good spring-clean and give away stuff you’ve not seen, worn or used in the past six months.