If I could travel back in time to see that version of myself, I would ask him “What did the five fingers say to the face? SLAP!” If you work off this premise of strictly following only the Biblical procedures for Christian holidays, what are you left with? Off the top of my head the only ceremonial instructions from Jesus that I can think of are for Maundy Thursday. That's a rip-roaring good holiday! (Get the party favors ready!) Can I have presents on Christmas? Mary and Joseph didn't have time for the toy store. Candy on Easter? Marshmallow chicks don't mix with a lost corpse. Turkey on Thanksgiving? Jesus definitely didn't wear a buckle on his hat. So by this anti-Lent standard, aren't all holiday traditions bad? At least fasting has Biblical merit.
This year I've had an obvious revelation. For any spiritual experience, holiday or whatever, you will only get out of it what you put into it. Ash Wednesday is just around the corner. This means that lots of people return from church with ashes on their forehead. They are symbolic of repentance and inner reflection towards God as shown throughout the Bible. (I just like Job because he really knew how to suffer. Sackcloth is a fashion statement with an exclamation point!) Not eating meat is meant to be a form of self-denial for observance and mental preparation for the Easter season. However, fasting without reflection is just a diet. Partying like a crazy person on Fat Tuesday doesn't bode well for repentance on Ash Wednesday.
This year when you ask me about Lent, I'll let you know that it's a great idea if you put in the real effort. As an added bonus, my future-self won't come hit me. (Well at least he'll have to use one of the million other reasons to slap me around.)
If you knew that “Ring Around the Rosie” actually has nothing to do with the plague:
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