Ash Wednesday

Come take a 40-day journey with me as we travel with Jesus to Calvary. It will not be an easy road. Oh, no it is a road that is full of twists and turns. Be ready for unexpected blessings and things that will challenge you. This journey is for everyone whether you can read or if you are still in diapers, you’re invited to come on this journey with us. So put on your hiking boots, grab your journey buddies (your family) and open your Bibles as we journey with Jesus to the Cross of Calvary.


Are you ready?


Day 1: Ash Wednesday
This day marks the first day of the Lent Season. The season of Lent is a fasting season that leads us to Easter. We will talk more about Lent tomorrow. Today let’s focus on what Ash Wednesday is. On this day Christians come to the alter and the pastor dips his thumb into ashes, marks their forehead with the sign of the cross saying “remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shall return.” Many times the ashes used are from the previous year’s palms that were used on Palm Sunday.
Ash Wednesday is not observed in the Bible. It is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. However, the use of ashes as a sign of repentance and mourning is found in the Bible and is the Biblical basis for Ash Wednesday. These passages are: 2 Samuel 13:16; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21

Read Psalm 51 together, if you have older children who can read take turns reading a verse. Talk to each other about sins that you are struggling with at this time. For young children, talk to them about doing something wrong and the consequences of those actions. For the very small children, tell them about Jesus’ love for us even when we do bad things.

During Lent, it is a tradition to give something up, to make a sacrifice during Lent. You can also add something, like praying for 30 more minutes a day. Some people do both. As a family, decide if you are going to follow this tradition. If so write down what each person is going to do for the next 40 days. Each night go back to that list and see how everyone is doing.