Ash Wednesday and Lent - What's a Baptist to do?

As a Baptist I have generally paid no attention to Lent. Usually the Baptist observance of Lent includes jokes about dryer lint and trying to figure out how to politely tell people that they have a big smudge on their forehead. Baptists have generally rejected liturgical traditions as showy, hypocritical and basically too Roman Catholic. In truth, though, Baptists at times have enjoyed a good show and have plenty of hypocrites. We have some major differences with the Roman Catholic Church, though the current political climate has highlighted our commonality in recent years. Some of the traditions of the Catholic Church do have value even for us radical reformers. Tradition connects us with a past that is larger than ourselves and anchors us to a faith that endured through the centuries. Lent can be a positive event for us, but we have to understand what it is.

It would seem that people today are more familiar with and interested in the events leading up to Lent, than in actual observance of Lent. On Tuesday, while flipping through the radio dial for weather and traffic, I heard a local radio personality discuss his plans for Mardi Gras. He was going to celebrate big the evening of Mardi Gras at a prominent Atlanta strip club. He was then asked about his observance of Lent. Very seriously he announced that he was giving up donuts for Jesus! Lent, though, is not just about giving up something for 40 days. Lent is supposed to be about fasting, penance, prayer and other religious practices that focus the mind and heart on Passion Week. Ultimately, Lent is to prepare the Christian for celebrating Easter.

I have never specifically given up anything for Lent. I am still praying about it. I have often thought it would be better for us to focus on improving some aspect of our Christian discipleship than on giving up some item or activity. In other words, I prefer adding something beneficial to the Christian walk that can become a habit beyond Lent. Behavior experts often claim that anything done for 40 days will become a habit and we should take this opportunity to create positive habits. This is not meant as a criticism for those who are fasting and picking up a good habit can be complementary to their fasting.

One of the things I intend on doing during this Lenten season is to offer up a word of devotion each day. For each day I will present a small word to help prepare for Easter. This will help me focus my mind on preparing for Easter and I pray that it will help someone else as well prepare their mind and heart for the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Has Thanksgiving Been Canceled?

Has Thanksgiving been canceled? Not yet, but we are quickly approaching that reality.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year. It is supposed to be a day of family, food and football. No gifts are exchanged, so there is not as much stress. It would seem that Thanksgiving is the least commercialized of all the major holidays. While that is one of the reasons I enjoy the day, it is also one of its biggest weaknesses.

Over the past few decades there has been a growing emphasis on the day after Thanksgiving. Black Friday has grown to eclipse Thanksgiving. Over the past few years people have begun to use Thanksgiving as a planning day for Black Friday. Now many stores are starting Black Friday on Thanksgiving!

I understand the importance of Black Friday to merchants. It is the day their sales for the year jump from red to black on their ledgers. A poor Black Friday can mean a poor December, which leads to a poor 4th quarter and possible bankruptcy. Merchants need the sales and are willing to sacrifice Thanksgiving.

I also understand the importance of Black Friday to the average consumer. Times are difficult and money is tight. People are looking for bargains and are willing to give up Thanksgiving to get a deal.
Unfortunately on the day of Black Friday there will be fights over a cheap computers. People will stand for hours in line to get a gift. Employees will be forced to sacrifice time with family in order to keep a job.

Perhaps the drive for gifts and the materialism of Christmas has consumed a simple holiday of Thanks. Can the trend be reversed? Not likely. As long as Christmas remains a holiday of consumption and greed the more Thanksgiving will be eclipsed and eventually consumed by the black hole of Black Friday. Perhaps if we restore the true meaning of Christmas, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ to bring salvation, then we will be able to restore the meaning of Thanksgiving, giving Thanks to God for His blessings.

Happy Birthday @Marines! Thanks for all you do! www.marines.mil/usmc/Pages/2011MarinesCorpsBirthdayBall.aspx #Marines, #Hero

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