The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and consists of the
40 days, not including Sundays, that come before Easter. The
date for Ash Wednesday varies from year to year, as it is based
on the date for Easter which changes each year. The date for
Easter is the first Sunday after the full moon following the
vernal equinox on March 21st. Therefore the date for Easter
falls sometime between March 22 and April 25 and the date for
Ash Wednesday falls between February 4 and March 10. This year
(2013), Ash Wednesday falls on February 13, which is relatively
early, and Easter falls on March 31. The word Lent is derived
from the Germanic root for “long” because it is observed in
spring when the days get longer. Lent is a time to prepare for
the holiest time of the Christian year by fasting, prayer,
almsgiving, and other acts of penance. Many people give up
something for Lent (a food, watching TV, etc.) or do something
to bring them closer to God such as daily devotions or
charitable donations. The church color for m