Some Christian traditions observe the season of Lent, the forty days (excluding Sundays) before Easter. Many people are familiar with the idea of giving up something for Lent, but where did this come from?
The word Lent comes from the Old English encten, which simply refers to the Spring season. The Latin name for this is Quadragesima, meaning fortieth.
There are examples of fasting for forty days in the Bible (e.g. Jesus in the wilderness) but no commandment to do that before the celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection.
The Apostolic Constitutions, which are dated from the fourth century, give some direction on fasting before Easter. Athanasius described a forty day fast before Easter. Augustine also saw this fast as being extremely important.
Many people see the origins earlier, at the Council of Nicaea in 325. However, there is some uncertainty in the details. Nicaea seemed to require forty days of fasting before baptism and Easter Sunday was a traditional day for baptisms. Lent would develop into a fast for more than just new converts.
With the Protestant Reformation, there were mixed opinions about whether to continue the practice. Some saw rituals as only allowable if specifically commanded in Scripture, while others saw rituals as only forbidden if it was rejected in Scripture.
Today, many Christians, both Roman Catholic and Protestant, liberal and conservative, continue to observe Lent. It is often not a full fast but the fasting of a specific food or other practice. Some do not fast but find ways to observe Lent in other ways.
If you are interested, I have written a Lenten devotional called Hope in the Cross. (Amazon affiliate link)
