I’ve never really participated in Lent.

Growing up I understood the basics of Lent and wondered why I hadn’t been raised to celebrate it. I didn’t grow up in a liturgical church setting. The older I’ve become, however, the more the liturgy seems to me a worthwhile concept.

A few years ago I went to a church that recited the Apostle’s Creed every Sunday as part of worship. Some of the podcasts I listen to lean toward liturgy. I know the arguments against liturgy, but there is also something beautiful to be said for its consistency, its reminders of who each part of the Trinity is. I like knowing what to expect, and observing certain liturgies can help.

In the Church we think of the year starting at Advent, our longing for Christ’s birth, and effectually ending after the Easter celebration by remembering Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit that came to us. Then we expectantly wait again to celebrate the birth of Christ, are saddened by the remembrance of His death, joyous at commemorating His resurrection and ascension, and spurred on and enheartened with the gift of the Spirit. Over and over each year we are reminded of Christ’s being fully God and fully man, come to save His Creation as only He can and continuing His work by sanctifying us in the Spirit.

I’ve planned many times to observe Lent – to give something up for this period of time, to give of myself more. I struggle. This year I decided to read Preparing for Easter: Fifty Devotional Readings from C. S. Lewis. This book combines excerpts from his works with Scripture readings that help the mind focus on this time in the Church calendar.