The first blooms to open in our yard this year happen to be a hellebore species,
called the Lenten Rose.
I think these are my favorite of all the early perennials to come up.
The Lenten rose derives it's name from the fact that it blooms during Lent.
Not growing up with the practice of Lent,
my curiosity led me to find out that Lent begins with Ash Wednesday.
That sounded like a more familiar term,
although I did not know it's significance either.
So I found out that Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent
40 days before Easter, remembered as a time to fast and repent of sin.
Something interesting I found out is that
Ash Wednesday refers to ashes used by Jews and Christians
as a sign of repentance.
In Bible times people repented in dust and ashes, possibly to remind
them of the consequences of sin, which is death.
Covering themselves with ashes was a way of showing deep remorse.
There are various ways that we can remember this season
leading up to the holy day we celebrate as Easter,
the ultimate celebration of life after death.
First of all, we can think of the ashes resembling repentance
and ask God what new work He would want to do in us.
We can practice a fast from something that takes our attention from listening to God.
We can set aside time to serve, time to pray or
time to reflect on what the promise of new life means for us.
Jesus, said,
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
John 5 :24
11 comments:
Ash Wednesday is part of my Christian faith tradition. I didn't like it at all when I was a child, but as an adult have come to appreciate the opportunity to remember from whence I come and to where I will go - and to be reminded of the necessity of repentance.
Hellebores are blooming here too - such a lovely reminder of the season coming.
Wonderful post Anneliese.
I do so love the Lenten Rose. Such a humble beautiful plant!
Very beautifully put, and I love the picture! Following!
Beautiful ..... Here in Manitoba it will be a long time before we see any sign of spring flowers ...
Such a glorious flower. It must be wonderful to open your door in the morning and see this. I think I will poach this picture. Hope that's ok. I'll put it on my 'desktop' if you don't mind.
xx Sharon
Thank you for this thoughtful post and the lovely photo.
Sharon, you know you are very welcome to use that photo!
I don't even have to open the door to see them as they are blooming right outside my kitchen window - where I happen to spend a lot of time.
lol Thank you. xxx
Sharon
Ash Wednesday and Lent are not part of my faith tradition, but I've grown to appreciate the preparation for Christ's death and resurrection, much as I prepare for his birth during Advent. Lenten Roses are such beautiful, quiet flowers, and most welcome at this time of year.
I'm enjoying my Lenton rose here as well...such a good reminder of the season we are in.
I learned about Lenten Roses from you all on your blogs, and I think they are so beautiful! I like how you shared Lent and the time leading up to Easter. What a special and most important time of the year, for us to anticipate. For us, in our part of the country with it's bitter cold and snow, it seems like a long time from now, but we know it is coming. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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