If you do not come from a liturgical Christian background, you may not know much about Lent. If you aren’t accustomed to observing Lent and would like to know more about it, read these posts:

• Ash Wednesday 2017
• Ash Wednesday/Lent 2016
• Ash Wednesday/Lent 2014

This year, Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is February 17. As explained in the posts listed above, many Christians fast or give up something for Lent as a form of penance and as a way to grow closer to God. While fasts are often food (sweets or meat or soft drinks), Christians can give up anything that will remind us of Jesus’s sacrifice for our sins as well as help us focus on our faith and the coming of Easter.

Personally, I give up fiction reading (which is a real sacrifice for a fiction lover like me) and spend time reading Christian nonfiction (which helps me grow spiritually). I also add more Scripture reading—usually a Bible reading plan designed for Lent. I journal my reflections on each day’s reading and write a short prayer. Every year, I publish my Lenten reflections from an earlier year.

The Light of Christ, this year’s Lenten Devotional, is available as a free PDF download. The ebook is formatted in standard 8 1/2 x 11 size so that you can print it on your home computer printer if you prefer to read in print. It’s 34 pages long, so you will use only 17 sheets of paper if you print on both sides. There is a devotional for every day from Ash Wednesday through Easter.

Whether you read The Light of Christ or not, I pray that you will take time to reflect on our Lord’s sacrifice for our salvation as you prepare for the joy of Easter, Resurrection Sunday.

The post Lenten Devotional: The Light of Christ first appeared on Lillie Ammann, Writer and Editor.