It’s Lent, the season for giving things up. But why?

What is the point of having 40 or 46 days without chocolate, or alcohol. Or being the odd one out on a night out drinking Coca-Cola instead of real ale. There has to be a point to it beyond a chance to lose weight and detox.

The secret is inthe history of Lent. In historic times becoming a Christian was a serious business. Years of study were required then a period of fasting before the baptisms at Easter. In time the rest of the church joined in.

So Lent began…

Lent is a season of repentance, think about where you have fallen short of God’s standards or your own standards?

Lent is a time of purification.

Lent is a time of enlightemnent. Take time to learn more about God.

And Lent is a time of conversion. We can acknowledge the ways that we have turned away from God and resolve to turn our hearts and mind back towards God.

All of which has nothing to do with not eating chocolate.