Ash Wednesday

During the Christian church year, there are two major celebrations. One is Christmas where we celebrate Jesus’ birth, and the other is Easter, when we celebrate His death and resurrection. There is a time before Easter where we often prepare ourselves for Jesus’ death and resurrection. This time is known as Lent.

Lent consists of the 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays— because they are always celebrations of Jesus’ resurrection. Thus, the first day of Lent is always a Wednesday. In ancient times, people marked times of fasting, prayer, and repentance by placing ashes on their foreheads. Today we do it as a reminder of who we are and what we are—forgiven sinners.