The day before Lent is full in most predominantly Christian countries of various celebrations marking the last day of "naughtiness" before we clean up our act, or our kitchens, or our tv habits, or whatever. Christians generally give up something for Lent. For Catholics, this is pretty well prescribed - no meat on Fridays. And thus the origin of the Friday Fish Fry, everyone coming together for a non-meat meal. In most Protestant denominations, individuals choose what they'll give up. Chocolate is a common one. Increasingly, people choose to "fast" from Facebook and things like that. Others add something on - devotions in the morning, exercise routines, time intentionally spent with family, etc.
Yesterday was "Pancake Day" in the UK - the day before Lent, there's a tradition of eating crepes. It's mostly lost its religious significance - but who's going to turn down a crepe!?! In the US, communities celebrate Mardi Gras with a huge party or "Fat Tuesday", eating lots of packzi - donuts made from all the lard, sugar, eggs, and lard not allowed during Lent by Catholic practices in Poland.
So...happy desserts or lack thereof as Lent continues!
And what are you doing for Lent, miss?? Anything like the usual?
ReplyDeleteI am working on my running and on being intentional about what I put in my mouth. I am going to eat desserts, junk food, etc. as they already exist in my life, but I am not going to purchase new stocks of food other than fresh fruits, veggies, and bread.
ReplyDeleteAlso, little miss, as your Daddy notes, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting and praying before he began his ministry. It was not directly before the crucifixion and resurrection.
ReplyDeletemom
Yes, okay - I changed for clarity. But it was technically correct, I didn't say immediately before. I can see that as being confusing. I was attempting to draw connection for non-Christians between that 40 days and Lent, but may have made things even murkier instead of more obvious.
ReplyDeleteKisses, pooky!!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
mom
fyi- when I was a lass, Catholics ate no meat on ANY Friday. Lent required an additional "do without". All this modernization made it much easier!
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that you are not forgoing eating as you have in the past.
Granna