When does Lent start and what is the 40 day Lent challenge?
Bread and water during Lent (Picture: Getty)
Lent will arrive on Wednesday 1 March and end on Thursday 13 April.
It is a time of reflection for many Christians, as they look back on and celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ.
But what is the story of Lent, what do people give up and what is the challenge asking us to do one nice thing each day during this time?

What is the story of Lent and what does it mean?

In essence, Lent is a time to give things up.
For Christians, this is a way to remember the time Jesus spent 40 days and nights alone in the Judaean desert, being tempted by Satan.

As Jesus fasted during this time, Christians identify with this state by giving up particular foods during the 40 days of Lent, including products containing meat, fish, milk and eggs.
Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, which is a day of penitence or cleansing of the soul.
Christians who attend Lent services will be marked with a cross of ashes on their forehead.

When does Lent start and what is the 40 day Lent challenge?
(Picture: Getty)
This symbol is based on a concept from the book of Genesis that humankind came into the world from dust, and will return to it upon death.
The following 40 days are taken as an opportunity to remember Jesus’ death – many give something up, and some take something on during this time.

How long is Lent?

In Western churches, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday – the day after Shrove Tuesday – each year.
The date is slightly different each year, and is either in late February or early March.
This year, it begins on 1 March.
Eastern Orthodox churches begin Lent with Clean Monday, which is two days before Western Churches. This year it’s on 27 February.
The end date of Lent is a little more difficult to pinpoint.
For Western churches, the 40 days of Lent ends on 15 April – the day before Easter – and is known as Holy Saturday.
However, the liturgical season of Lent ends before this – on Holy Thursday, which is on 13 April.

What do people give up for Lent and what is the Lent challenge?


(Picture: Shutterstock; Metro.co.uk)
(Picture: Shutterstock; Metro.co.uk)
Most people associate Lent with fasting and abstaining from certain things.
Many believe that giving up something during Lent will purify their bodies.
Children often give up chocolate, sweets, certain toys or television – while adults usually go for alcohol, coffee or cigarettes.
Households will often give up meat, eggs and dairy products for the 40 day period.
Those who choose to take something on during this time will often donate money to a good cause or dedicate time to volunteering for charity.
Catholics will abstain from eating meat on Fridays until the Easter season.
This year, the Christian Nightlife Initiatives Network is promoting the #Do1NiceThing challenge, which they say is about loving the person in front of you and serving the wider community to make life better for others.

What nice things can you do each day for the 40 day Lent challenge?


When does Lent start and what is the 40 day Lent challenge?
(Picture: Getty)
1st March – Engage in conversation with the people who serve you (e.g. shop keepers)
2nd March – Say thank you to someone as they work and say how much you appreciate them
3rd March – Call in on an elderly neighbour – take some cake, have a cup of tea and a chat
4th March – Shop locally and support local farmers, local veg growers and local shops
5th March – Show some love to your neighbourhood and pick up litter or see if there is anything more you can recycle at home
6th March – Hold doors open for those behind you
7th March – Smile at people

(Picture: Lucas Alves Magalhães) Man Is Shocked When His Dog Walks In With A Weird New Smile
(Picture: Lucas Alves Magalhães)
8th March – Be a nice driver – spread road-calm!
9th March – Email / write to a local charity you think does a great work and thank them and those who volunteer
10th March – Take time to pray for your neighbours
11th March – Spread the niceness on Facebook and Twitter – compliment some of your friends
12th March – Set up a Blessing Bag – a bag of items you keep in your car that can be used to bless other people
13th March – Write a letter to a local emergency service and thank them for the work they do
14th March – Say hello to people
15th March – Look at joining or setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme
16th March – Spot ways of helping people and do it
17th March – Go on a thankful walk – see all the positive things you can be thankful for in your neighbourhood
18th March – Buy Fairtrade where you can today

A person shows unroasted fairtrade coffee beans during the exhibition "World of coffee", on June 27, 2013, in Nice, southeastern France. AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (Photo credit should read JEAN-CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET/AFP/Getty Images)
(Picture: Getty)
19th March – Take a single person (elderly person, single mum…) out for Sunday lunch
20th March – Consider investing some time volunteering – could you give 24 hours over the next year?
21st March – Commit to collect used stamps for The Leprosy Mission
22nd March – Catch a bus (#Do1NiceThing for the environment) and say thank you to the bus driver
23rd March – Give a drink to a homeless person 
24th March – Email / write to your MP and say thank you for representing you and that you are praying for them
25th March – Take a prayer walk round your neighbourhood
Mothering Sunday 26th March – Take some flowers to mothers and grandmas on your street
27th March – Buy seeds ready to create a wildlife garden (or tub or window box!)

2017 wedding flower trends
(Picture: Wild Renata Flowers)
28th March – Look for ways to volunteer one hour of your time for someone else 
29th March – Email your local councillors and say thank you for what they do and offer to pray for them
30th March – Take time to discover some new tourist attraction in your area (eg wildlife park, play area, etc)
31st March – Give away a book you think is worth reading
1st April – Pay for the drink of the person behind you in a coffee shop
2nd April – Write some inspirational messages on Post-It notes and randomly leave for people to find
3rd April – Help someone down the stairs or hold open a door for someone with a pram
4th April – Sit in a coffee shop and chat to some strangers or pay for a strangers’ drink
5th April – Offer your skills to someone else for free
6th April – Write a letter to the boss of someone who has given excellent customer service to tell them so
7th April – Clear out unwanted items and give to a charity shop
8th April – Organise a free car wash for your community

When does Lent start and what is the 40 day Lent challenge?
(Picture: Getty)
Palm Sunday 9th April – Thank people for the virtues they have
10th April – Send flowers to a friend as a thank you for your friendship
11th April- Give an inspirational book to someone you don’t know
12th April – Take a box of chocolates to work and say thank you to your colleagues
Maundy Thursday 13th April – Easter Weekend – Provide someone with a service
Good Friday 14th April – Put spare change in a charity box
15th April – Visit a local shop you have not visited before or in a while (support locally!)
Easter Sunday 16th April – Get together with others to organise a community or church Easter Egg hunt