More and more Christians are beginning to celebrate the 40-day period before Easter known as Lent. 

Catholics have honored the season since the 6th century, and Lutherans and Episcopalians have observed Lent for hundreds of years.  This year many more denominations are beginning to take part in the ancient tradition.

A number of American Protestants are beginning to embrace the observance historically associated with the Catholic Church.  Congregationalists, United Methodists and Presbyterians have taken up the 40-day tradition of self denial and spiritual reflected.

These days it's even observed by such evangelical denominations as American Baptists and the Church of the Nazarene. Lent represents the 40-day period that Jesus was said to spend in the wilderness before being put to death.  Christians see it as a time of repentance and sorrow for sins committed and a time to take stock of one's spiritual life. 

The trend seems to reflect one of the fruits of the ecumenical movement of the 20th century, according to the Rev. Diane Kessler, executive director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, an umbrella organization representing more than 15 Protestant denominations in that state.

"Our churches have been living with each other more, and have been influencing each other in subtle ways," Kessler told the Patriot Ledger. Many churches see the 40 days of reflection as a chance to focus on more Christlike values in the weeks leading up to Easter. 

The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and runs through Palm Sunday, Good Friday and ends on Easter Sunday. Some churches, which are honoring Lent for the first time, will do so with Bible studies, weekly church services and concerts. 

Other churches are taking the opportunity to reach out to those in need in their communities by taking meals to the sick and elderly, or working at food banks. In the coming weeks, members of many denominations will honor the time in different ways but all with one goal in mind, to prepare for Easter by reflecting on their own lives.

(Source:The Patriot Ledger)

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