I’ve had the thought that Christmas awful early. It’s a highlight of the dark days, no doubt, but there are an awful lot of dark days after Christmas to endure. But now in the church We’ve got another holiday far, far more aptly placed. Lent started yesterday, and it’ll last forty days.

I’ve not decided if it’s Stockholm syndrome to suggest that winter’s a good thing because it helps us enjoy spring and summer all the more. But as far as the church is concerned that’s true, or at least I believe the church to believe it, why else would it be the right thing to lean in now? There’s a reason lent is in the late winter, beckoning in Spring, and I think it has to do with the same reasons that no Floridian’s loved a summer half as much as the least Vermonter.

I think there’s a lot to be learned from leaning in, and that’s what Great Lent is about, that’s what much of the Christian faith, done properly, is about. At least as far as I’m concerned.

We’ll see how I do this Lent.

Forty days is a long time.

But if I manage not to eat chocolate or meat or much cheese, just think how delicious they’ll be when I’m wearing a t-shirt.

I’ve already had a handful of dates.

Which aren’t against the fast,

But they do feel like they’re bending the rules a bit, don’t you think?