Dear Friends,
When you read this letter Lent will be upon us. As I approach this important season of Christian
preparation I have been guided by some reflections upon Christmas! (Yes, I did say Christmas!)
Many seem to be exhausted by celebrating Christmas. This feeling of exhaustion is often
accompanied by words like, ‘Christmas is not as good, or as special, as it used to be.’
Why do we feel like this?
I think it’s because in this 24/7 consumer culture in which we live, where we can have whatever we
want whenever we want it, it becomes hard to celebrate. It is hard to make a particular day
special when all days can be special because we can have whatever we want. To do so we have
to work extra hard; spend even more; consume ever more; and somehow it just doesn’t seem to
work – rather it has the opposite effect – it simply exhausts us!
I like Lent because it provides a counter to such an exhausting consumer culture. Lent is a time of
fasting, self-denial, and self-discipline. Christians undertake such activities not simply to make
themselves more ‘spiritual’ but also to help them celebrate. Without a fast there cannot be a feast.
Fasting, self-denial, and self-discipline help us to appreciate even more what we already have and
already enjoy – they prevent us from taking things for granted – including our faith.
This Lent why not fast – give up something you enjoy – so that you can return to it at Easter and
enjoy it even more. Use the time and money you save to take something up – like giving to
charity, reading a Lent book, joining a Lent study group, starting a new life-giving hobby or activity.
Whatever new thing you do, do it with self-discipline and perseverance and you may be surprised
where it might lead you.
Come to think of it, isn’t this the whole message of the Lent to Easter journey? It’s as we give
things up in a self-sacrificial way that new life and new possibilities come in which we can
celebrate.
Without a fast there can be no feast. It’s a message that our consumer culture disregards at its
peril.

Yours in Christ
 
Simon