This tradition comes from a BibleThe collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity. The Bible includes the Old Testament and the New Testament. story in which JesusJesus or Jesus Christ is the name of the man who Christians believe was the son of God, and whose teachings are the basis of Christianity. spends 40 days fastingGoing without food or drink, either for religious or health purposes. You should only fast if it is safe medically. in the desert to become closer to God. He is hungry and is tempted by the devil, but he refuses to sinSomething that is immoral, often in religious law.. When it is over, he begins to preachSpread the word about a religion to non-believers. .
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Pancakes, fasting and the meaning of Lent
This tradition comes from a BibleThe collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity. The Bible includes the Old Testament and the New Testament. story in which JesusJesus or Jesus Christ is the name of the man who Christians believe was the son of God, and whose teachings are the basis of Christianity. spends 40 days fastingGoing without food or drink, either for religious or health purposes. You should only fast if it is safe medically. in the desert to become closer to God. He is hungry and is tempted by the devil, but he refuses to sinSomething that is immoral, often in religious law.. When it is over, he begins to preachSpread the word about a religion to non-believers. .
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During LentIn the Christian calendar the period of penitence runs from Ash Wednesday (when penitents mark their foreheads with ashes as a sign of repentance) to Easter. Deeply significant in Christianity, it is followed by Easter Sunday. Easter and its symbolism coincide with the celebration of spring., Christians try to test their own self-disciplineThe ability to control your own behaviour. by giving up something they enjoy. This might be unhealthy foods or bad habits like smoking. Lent ends during Holy Week, which is followed by Easter Sunday. This is a celebration of Jesus's life and resurrectionComing back to life. In the Bible, Jesus died on the cross and came back to life three days later. This miracle proved he was the son of God..
Many religions have periods of fasting. During the month of RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic year, during which Muslims are required to fast from dawn until dusk., MuslimsPeople who follow the religion of Islam. do not eat while the sun is up. HindusFollowers of Hinduism, an Indian religion with more than one billion followers. fast on certain days of the month, such as the full moon. JewsPeople who follow the religion of Judaism. fast before the holiday Yom KippurA festival which comes nine days after the Jewish New Year. The name translates as "Day of Atonement"..
Should you give something up this year?
Yes. It is a good way to break bad habits, like eating too many sweets or being mean to your siblings. When Lent is over, you might find it is easier to carry on avoiding them! For religious people, giving things up also means more time to reflect on God. Even if you are not religious, it is a reminder that you do not need chocolate to be happy.
Rather than deprivingStopping from having something. yourself of something you like, why not take up something that is good for you instead? Perhaps you might start volunteering, learning a new language or exercising more. This still tests your discipline and makes you a better person, but you do not have to stop doing things you like. It is the best of both worlds!
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Keywords
Bible - The collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity. The Bible includes the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Jesus - Jesus or Jesus Christ is the name of the man who Christians believe was the son of God, and whose teachings are the basis of Christianity.
Fasting - Going without food or drink, either for religious or health purposes. You should only fast if it is safe medically.
Sin - Something that is immoral, often in religious law.
Preach - Spread the word about a religion to non-believers.
Lent - In the Christian calendar the period of penitence runs from Ash Wednesday (when penitents mark their foreheads with ashes as a sign of repentance) to Easter. Deeply significant in Christianity, it is followed by Easter Sunday. Easter and its symbolism coincide with the celebration of spring.
Self-discipline - The ability to control your own behaviour.
Resurrection - Coming back to life. In the Bible, Jesus died on the cross and came back to life three days later. This miracle proved he was the son of God.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic year, during which Muslims are required to fast from dawn until dusk.
Muslims - People who follow the religion of Islam.
Hindus - Followers of Hinduism, an Indian religion with more than one billion followers.
Jews - People who follow the religion of Judaism.
Yom Kippur - A festival which comes nine days after the Jewish New Year. The name translates as "Day of Atonement".
Depriving - Stopping from having something.
Pancakes, fasting and the meaning of Lent
Glossary
Bible - The collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity. The Bible includes the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Jesus - Jesus or Jesus Christ is the name of the man who Christians believe was the son of God, and whose teachings are the basis of Christianity.
Fasting - Going without food or drink, either for religious or health purposes. You should only fast if it is safe medically.
Sin - Something that is immoral, often in religious law.
Preach - Spread the word about a religion to non-believers.
Lent - In the Christian calendar the period of penitence runs from Ash Wednesday (when penitents mark their foreheads with ashes as a sign of repentance) to Easter. Deeply significant in Christianity, it is followed by Easter Sunday. Easter and its symbolism coincide with the celebration of spring.
Self-discipline - The ability to control your own behaviour.
Resurrection - Coming back to life. In the Bible, Jesus died on the cross and came back to life three days later. This miracle proved he was the son of God.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic year, during which Muslims are required to fast from dawn until dusk.
Muslims - People who follow the religion of Islam.
Hindus - Followers of Hinduism, an Indian religion with more than one billion followers.
Jews - People who follow the religion of Judaism.
Yom Kippur - A festival which comes nine days after the Jewish New Year. The name translates as "Day of Atonement".
Depriving - Stopping from having something.