Me: Essential oil?
Rayne: A mixture I make of Lemon and Thieves.
Me: Give me three words to describe your childhood.
Rayne: Embarrassing my mother.
Me: One of your favourite memories as a child?
Rayne: When I was like 4 and my friends wouldn’t let me go trick or treating with them unless I dressed like a Disney princess, but I wanted to be Spiderman, so I wore my Spiderman costume under a Cinderella dress. My logic was that Spiderman wears his suit under all his clothes. Then, halfway through trick or treating I got hot so I took my dress off and my friends got mad at me.
Me: What is the strangest thing you did as a kid?
Rayne: The strangest thing I did as a kid was when I would get out of the bath I'd dance and sing on top of the coffee table naked (keep in mind this was when I was like 3 or 4).
Me: How long have you been dancing, and if you put every position/maneuver together in a row how long would it take?
Rayne: 13 years, and if I were to do that it would honestly take years.
Me: What was your biggest challenge in the past few years?
Alex: It was me.
Rayne: No comment.
By Daniel Masker
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: DANNIE GAMBLE
When and where were you born?
November 22, 2000 St.Paul, or
Minneapolis? It was the day before
Thanksgiving.
Favorites:
Prof: Does Mrs.Beekman count?
Food: Cheese Pizza M: “You're
so weird”
Canadian: thinks, “Mackenna,”
then laughs
High School Memory: Muddy
Ultimate frisbee games
Season: Fall
Sport to Play: Softball
Sport to Watch: Baseball (Professional)
Movie: Wonder
Bible Verse: Psalm 103:11,12
Submission ever to the crossroads?:
Anything that Adrie has done ever
Artwork done by you: Silhouette sunset
thing at the cabin
Late night snack: Goldfish from a pringles can
If you were stuck on an island, what are three
things you would bring with you?
-
Bible
-
Knife
-
Boat
​
If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be? Stovetop Stuffing
How do you feel that Sam is only dating you to get close to Jon? I deny that statement. “Or, how does he feel that I’m only dating him to get close to Annie? Wait, no, that's weird.”
What are you most excited for for next year? Hmmm, being part of a really small class again.
Best advice for Freshmen? Get involved with activities and sports and activities and lots of different people.
Is your biggest regret quitting track freshman year? No
​
What is your biggest regret? Joining track freshman year.
Who is your role model and why? My mom; she's my mom.
Am I gonna be your maid of honour at your wedding? “Uhhhh, ahhhh, we’ll talk about it when we get there.”
Biggest lesson you took from high school? Don’t get your mind too set on anything.
Best advice you’ve been given? Don’t worry M: “Be happy.” D: “Every little thing. . .”
Where do you see Dannie in 10 years?
Megan: She might have a kid by then, if she ever gets over her fear of holding them. She still won’t have beat me at monopoly though, and definitely will be bribing me to fold her laundry with fruit snacks.
Kaitlyn: Art grade school teacher
Ben: Teaching a class of 12 kids and
has a puppy named Roscoe
By Megan Johnston
​
Me: When and where were you born?
Rayne: January 1, 2001, in Eau Claire.
Me: Favourite food?
Rayne: Greek Yogurt or Dark Chocolate
Me: Color?
Rayne: Depends on what it’s for, but I’d say grayish purple.
Me: Class?
Rayne: Favourite class overall was biology, but this year it’s art.
Me: Time of day?
Rayne: When I come home at night and am greeted by my dog.
Me: Bible verse?
Rayne: Genesis 27:11
​
​​
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT:
RAYNE REETZ
Well, guys, I guess I’m doing this whole writing thing now. I’m taking a stab at doing a senior spotlight, and here’s the result. In retrospect, the hardest part was cornering the victim in order to question her, but I managed to get it done. I hope you enjoy!
Me: What three things (other than a way out) would you take with you to a desert island?
Rayne: A bathing suit, a hammock, and a fully functioning chipotle.
Me: What are you doing after school?
Rayne: After school I'm most likely dancing and/or working.
Me: Where do you see Rayne in ten years?
Rayne: Living in a house filled with pets.
Noah: Running her own dance studio in Arizona. She has patented a dance move, and now goes around suing people for using it.
Alex: Living with me, probably in Arizona.
Katlyn: Owning her own dance studio somewhere.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: ALEXUS AICHELE
Favorites:
Prof: Rodebaugh
Food: Shrimp, scallops, steak minces with garlic,
mushrooms, onions with lemon seasoning, steamed
veggies . . . Dude, just pick one food
Workout: Any type of back or leg workout
Canadian: MEGAN! *I was fishing for that one,
I know ( still better than Dannie's response)*
Outfit: Leggings, soft shirt and slippers
High School Memory: Being around everyone
laughing and having a good time (Beach Day
or Gabe’s Bonfire)
Season: Spring, but definitely FALL!
Sport to Play: Volleyball
Sport to Watch: Basketball
Movie: Step Brothers, The Other Guys
Show: Game of Thrones
Reasons to Skip Work: ANY!
Walk Down to Chapel: Watching everyone
(including me) almost fall
Chapel Snack: COFFEE
Things About Stephen: “He always 1) falls, 2) “wakes up at four!” 3) Gets four hours of sleep 4) Loves The Lion King, and 5) got tied to a chair. TBH, I didn’t like Stephen so much freshman year, but now he’s one of my best friends. He likes being called Stevie Wonder, Stevie, Steve the Beave. JEANS!
If you were stuck on an island, what are three things you would bring with you?
-
Fishing Rod
-
Bathing Suit
-
Sunglasses
Best advice for Freshmen? Yolo.
Biggest lesson you took from high school? Things aren’t always going to go as I plan them, but I know Who is really in control.
Best advice you’ve been given? Everything happens for a reason.
​
By Megan Johnston
Where do you see Alexus in 10 years?
Tim- Still tryna make a table.
Joey- Bowling championship for women.
Stephen- Probably on top of a building constructing it.
Lily- At the gym all the time with her ripped bod building houses.
Malaena- In the gym as a professional bodybuilder, still going on coffee dates with me every day, and hanging out with Stephen.
Limaricks
A do-it-yourself, practical limerick for you guys who want to ask someone to Banquet, just insert her name and pick two words that rhyme with it, and that’s one quick “yes” waiting to happen.
There once was a girl named ________.
That’s you--you’re really a ________.
You know I cain’t quit
Until we’re at Banquet
So, darling, please just say, “________.”
For example: a.) Euphemia b.) catch c.) Nothing rhymes with Euphemia
By Aric Reim
Positively Living- The Art Of Humor
“Laughter is the best medicine,” says the ancient proverb. And in some cases, it isn't far from the truth. There are some days when you just have to magnify the world’s funny factor by ten. It takes practice and friends. But there is something really special about being able to just let go and laugh it off. So what if that joke was only slightly funny? Laugh, and laugh a lot. Be that person who makes others say, “I didn't realize that was that funny!”
Think of the funniest person you know. Does he or she laugh a lot? Does he tell a lot of jokes? Does he consistently choose to stick around funny people? But most of all, is he among the happiest people you know?
As if observations weren't enough evidence, we have science to back it up, too. Laughter releases dopamine and endorphins, boosting your mood. Laughter also happens to be just plain good for you--it’s proven to release growth hormones and opiates (which relieve pain) into your brain. It also strengthens your immune system and decreases your blood pressure.
Create some joy by having a good, long laugh. Give some joy by affirming others in their humor or by spreading the ever-contagious plight of laughter. The perfect pick-me-up could be hiding just around the corner as a joke or pun. Practice the art of magnifying humor. It's a wonderful magic.
By Trinity Mayhew
Q & A
You ask, we answer,
Flash Member
of the
​
Month
Lily Meyer everyone! The one, the only, our student body president, the goofiest gal pal around. A huge thank you to Lily for being such a great role model, leading with her positivity and enthusiasm. Your presence on the Flash does not go unnoticed! You are an asset we undoubtedly will miss next year. Keep up the good work.
By Your Editors
How do I explain to friends and people I am not close to that I don’t like it when they shorten my name?
It might seem a bit awkward in the beginning, but (with most people) you don’t need to feel bad at all about just saying something. They probably don’t realize that you dislike it when they shorten your name, and will be happy to stop once they know. All you have to do is politely say that you prefer your name the way it is.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
I don’t think anyone will ever know why the chicken crossed the road. It could have gotten scared and run across, or maybe it was dared by its chicken friends to cross the road. For all we know, it could have been shoved across by a bear that wanted to cross and the chicken was sitting in its way. (This joke reminds me of the “Does a falling tree make a sound if no one is there to hear it?” question.)
Here are some variations of the classic joke:
-
Why did the chicken cross the road? (Isaac Newton) Chickens at rest tend to stay at rest. Chickens in motion tend to stay in motion.
-
Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to your house (Knock knock. Who’s there? The chicken.)
And lastly,
-
Why did the chicken cross the road? To avoid lame and outdated jokes
How much sawdust can you put in a Rice Krispies Treat before people notice?
Rice Krispies Treats are made up of Rice Krispies Cereal, marshmallows, butter or oil, and optional sprinkles and food dye. Sawdust is not a common ingredient in this sweet treat, and I would hope that no one is thinking of doing this as a prank. Sawdust is not the most healthy choice for your next Krispies topping, though it is not inherently harmful to digest.
How much would it take for people to notice? It depends on who is sampling your sabotaged dessert. Some people have a far more experienced palette than others, and some of your friends will eat absolutely anything. Always keep in mind that being able to put sawdust in rice crispy bars without substantial health hazards that doesn’t mean that you should do so.
Is water wet?
I found a website that answered this question in a way that seemed reasonable to me. It made the point that to answer this question, you have to figure out what you mean by “wet.” If you say something is wet because it is a liquid sticking to a solid, then water is not wet because it is just a liquid. If you say something is wet because it is a liquid, then water is, of course, wet because it is a liquid.
What makes high school higher school?
There are many things that could make high school higher school. For example, normally higher school refers to college or universities--schooling that you choose to do. On the other hand, if you were a superhero and attended Sky High, you would in fact be going to a higher school than others because that particular building is several miles in the air. Some might also argue that a higher school is one with grades or athletics superior to others. So, depending on what you prefer--to be a superhero, to go to college, to be über smart--all of these are ways that you can attend a higher school.
If you could have lunch with any historical figure, what would you eat?
First, I think I’ll counter this with a question of my own. Who phrased this question and why would you do this to me? Secondly, what is your definition of “historical”? Depending on what years you qualify as such, you can determine who’s on your roster to cater to. Personally, I think all people of all time should have popcorn at least once. If I had the money for an epic feast, I’d love to invite King Arthur and see how it compared to his own. Cake for Marie Antoinette, of course, and I’d love to serve spaghetti to George Washington. If you know about that time someone tried to kill him with a tomato, you’ll know why. The best food that everyone absolutely must have, in my opinion, is rice. Any kind of rice with any kind of main course.
How can I get this girl to notice me?
Ah, the age old question. For years, men and women alike have been asking questions such as this. Now a very close friend and I have come up with a few things that might make it a little bit easier to catch the attention of that special little lady. First things first--ditch the sweatpants and shorts, guys. Maybe try jeans, or khakis, or slacks. Makes all the difference in the world. Second thing is always smile. A good smile, happy countenance, and a bit of joy might just do the trick. (For tips on how to be happier, check the “Positively Living” Articles by Trinity Mayhew, Courtney’s favorite column ever.) Third thing, if you want to get her attention, bring chivalry back to life. Holding doors and saying “please” and “thank you” go a very long way when getting the attention of a lady. And lastly, boys, no matter what, just be yourself. If she doesn't like you for who you are or can't see how wonderful you are, she is just flat out not worth it. The Banquet Fever has been going around and it’s your time to ask whichever girl has caught your eye to the grandest of ILHS affairs. Good luck, boys!
What state is fire?
Most agree that fire is composed of reacting gases. It is different from the other states of matter in that it dies out eventually. Although fire doesn’t really fit as any state of matter, it behaves the most like plasma, which is similar to gas.
When you see the tour choir, you may only see the concert and the singing. You may think that they just go from church to church to sing, and sight see the rest of the time. Most people don't know that there is a lot that happens behind the scenes.
On tour, there are several long bus rides. They usually last around 4 hours, but there have been rides that last 7-8 hours. The bus is quite small and it can be quite cramped. Since the bus is small, and the choir members are together for a week, relationships can be made. Some people talk to others who they would never usually talk to before. Quick friendships can be made on tour. For many people, the bus rides are their least favorite part of tour. One thing most people don't know is that each tour choir member has a specific job that they are responsible for throughout the week. Some of the jobs include: getting trash from the bus, making sure stands get from the bus to the church, setting up risers, and selling CDs. These jobs are quite simple but are very important. Another important aspect many people overlook, is conversing with church members. When the choir arrives to a church, instead of only talking to fellow choir members, they get to talk to and try to make conversation with church members. Several people like getting to know the host families and bonding with people.The concerts don’t always run as smoothly as you might think. Sometimes there can be a few bumps in the road. Music can go flying, parts of instruments can fall, someone might need to sit down so she or he doesn't pass out. This year, the choir got snowed in at Loveland, CO. This caused everything to be moved back one day and the Red Wing concert had to be cancelled. Aside from all that, when the choir isn't singing, on the bus, or at host families houses, they are sightseeing. This year, the most popular places were Estes Park in Colorado and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. This year they also toured a tea factory of Celestial Seasonings and a New Belgium brewery. Several people said that Estes Park was their favorite place to visit on tour. The tea factory was also a favorite of some.
There are also several funny incidents that happen on tour. Aric and Anthony were staying with a host family in Watertown. They were dairy farmers. The farmers showed them this cow carousel that would milk the cows. These farmers had to constantly be milking cows because they had so many. They had this cow carousel that would hook up the cows and milk them while spinning them and playing Latino music. After it was done, the cows would just walk off.
We took a short 30 minute stop at Boulder, CO. The bus stopped near a Walgreens and Pet Smart. Sam Radermacher wanted to buy a fish from the Pet Smart. He first bought a gallon of distilled water from Walgreens and then tried to buy the fish but he needed to have a certain size tank. He walked out with his backpack, making it look like he had a fish in there. Everyone was curious. When he got on the bus, he chucked his backpack at his seat and everyone freaked out.
At Cheyenne, before we all got on the bus, the boys put Joel Kuehne in a box and crowd surfed him onto the bus.
Adrie and Rebecca stayed in a room at a host family that had a bookcase full of dolls that watched them while they slept.
Olivia was asked to make a bag lunch for Prof. Reim. It was a very stressful experience for her. She didn't know what he wanted and she was afraid he would hate her if she didn't make it the way he wanted.
Tour is a great way to get to know the choir members and to meet people at congregations and make bonds with people as well as proclaim God’s Word through song. There may be some bumps in the road, but it all works out for good.
Tour choir: Behind the scenes
By Sarah Fox
By Kitara Mielke, Courtney Behlmer, Trinity Mayhew
Like a
Baroque-n Record
​​
With our normal playlist people out this issue, that happy responsibility fell to yours truly, and for better or worse, my favorite music comes from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic Eras. That’s about 300 years’ worth of music, so the best I can do is “Greatest Hits.” Given how different these pieces are, I would not recommend playing them all in one sitting, but if you’re ever in the mood for a masterpiece--let’s Bach and roll.​​
-
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5--1. Allegro--J.S. Bach
-
Cello Suite No.1--Courante--J.S. Bach
-
The Year 1812 Solemn Overture, Op. 49--P.I. Tchaikovsky
-
Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92--L. Beethoven
-
Wiener Blut (Vienna Blood), Op. 354--J. Strauss II
-
Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64--Fe. Mendelssohn
-
The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba--G.F. Handel
-
Concerto No. 5 in E Flat Major, “La Tempesta di Mare” (The Sea Storm)--A. Vivaldi
-
Suite No. 2 from Romeo and Juliet, Montagues and Capulets, Op. 64--S. Prokofiev
-
Sonata for Cello and Piano III. Andante--S. Rachmaninoff
By Aric Reim
Haiku Blues​
Oh, what shall I write?
I had an idea once . . .
But it is no more.
Poems can be fun . . .
Oh, how does a haiku go?
Let me look it up.
It's five-seven-five
That should be easy enough
Now what to name it?
I'm kinda depressed
About my forgetfulness,
Like I have the blues . . .
“Haiku Blues” is grand,
Look at that, it rhymes as well.
I like it a lot.
So now I am glad,
For I have an article.
Regular? Perhaps . . .
By Rebecca Durst
A Letter to My Writing Style
To my dearest, my Writing Style,
Friend, you and I have been dancing for years at a masquerade ball with many various
masks, colors, music, and dances. You often depart from me, but always return, arrayed in a
different mask and presenting a different personality. At times you talk almost
ceaselessly, filling my head with dialogue. Other nights you are quieter, preferring to show
scenes of a child alone, or a barren desert with skies of promise in a cold clear blue.
Those who observe our dance have told me that sometimes we make their skin crawl,
but other days they feel no emotion at all. Some of your masks prefer rhythm and rhyme, but
only come up with such half of the time. I’d like to believe that together, we’re witty and clever.
Oftentimes, however, that just ends up sounding silly.
The thing, dear Writing Style, is that throughout our many dances, I have never seen
what is behind your many various masks. I want to know who you are, but continually you hide
away from me. If I found you, I think we could achieve great things together, but I fear I never
will. So, tell me, dear friend--who are you?
Your friend and dance partner,
-Author.
By Trinity Mayhew
Megan Oster is the new assistant coach for Lancer softball. So far it is obvious to see that she feels right at home with a bat and glove. The team is ready and excited for the season to start!
Here are some things all those interested in softball and the Lancer’s coaching should know:
When asked how long she had played softball, Megan decided on 11 years, although it took her a minute to figure that out.
She was a catcher, but we can tell she has plenty of knowledge and tips for all positions.
She enjoys softball because of how it’s a team sport and you have to rely on your teammates.
When I asked her if she ever expected to be here, or if this just kinda happened, I was happy to hear that she has always wanted to coach.
Be sure to catch the Lancers in action this season!
Megan Oster &
Lancer Softball
Ron and Eunice Roehl
Goodbye is Not Forever
​
In recent weeks, two people who had a great deal to do with my past have died and gone to heaven. This has led me to search my mind for times when our lives have intersected in the past.
Roy Lillo was the JV boys’ basketball coach and I was his assistant for a few years when I was attending college at ILC. We also helped out as counselors together at the ILC summer camps held at Immanuel. I remember him driving for Christmas caroling one snowy day and in between stops to shut-ins we listened to the Minnesota Vikings game on the radio. We were both fans. My brother and I stopped at his house several times one summer asking for help to fix something on our boat or car, or both. Roy was and will be easy to remember. He was kind, caring, and funny. He gave without ever expecting anything in return.
Prof Ron Roehl was the dean of students when I was in high school at ILC. He was also my baseball and basketball coach during some of my high school playing days. I got to be his assistant baseball coach for several years while I was in college. I got to be his colleague on the faculty when I first started teaching at ILC. He wore many hats at a time when there was much to do and fewer people to wear them. He could get on you for doing something stupid, but at heart he had a gentle and forgiving spirit. He never felt it beneath him to be a servant, and continued to serve until his earthly end.
I have had the privilege to get to know both of these people, and the additional privilege to get to know their children and grandchildren. A lot of who these men were has rubbed off on those close to them. These men were positive influences in my life. The world can’t have too many of those. I look forward to our lives intersecting again in the future.
​
By Prof Joe Lau
Roy Lillo
Off Campus Musings:
Conspiracy Theories
Lilo and Stitch. Monsters, Inc. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Matilda. The Little Mermaid. Pirates of the Caribbean. Peter Pan. Cinderella. These names plunge people into memories. But as innocent as they seem, they may have a dark side, a hidden meaning that we have never picked up on. Warning: continue reading this article, and your life may be changed forever.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory--A seemingly harmless story about a poor boy who happens to be one of the few chosen to tour the famous Willie Wonka Chocolate Factory. But maybe, maybe Willie Wonka is a serial killer. Maybe he handpicked the kids to be chosen and set up trials for them, which all of them failed and more than likely died from (also take into account that at no point do we hear where Wonka tells the Oompa Loompas to take the parents—because he’s telling them where to dispose of the witnesses). But Charlie was smart enough to get away from the death trap and accuse Wonka of his crimes, thereby jinxing the system and technically winning.
Monsters Inc.--Monsters that use doors like portals to scare little children and use their screams to fuel their town. The only catch is that they can’t touch the humans, or they’re diseased or something. Well, consider the fact that the monsters might actually be germs, which would explain why they are always trying to stay away from the humans. Another possibility is that this whole story was just the little girl’s dream to explain the monsters that she believed lived inside her closet and she is telling this story to her kids later in life.
Peter Pan--He’s a loving, brotherly figure to the lost boys on the island. Or is he? Some say that Peter Pan took unloved children from their homes to Neverland, and when they got old, he killed them off.
Truth, or exaggeration? These are just a few of the conspiracy theories out there. Take a look at them with an open mind. They prove a very interesting topic, even though they’re not true . . . or are they?
By Suraya Williams
D&D #7
"What's with all the dice?"
Those of you who don’t play D&D may have seen people with more dice than seem necessary. Those of you who do play D&D know that there are almost never enough dice. It’s true that you don’t need loads of dice to play the game, but having several sets can make gameplay smoother. In this article, I’ll give brief explanations of what each die does in the game.
To begin with, you may, in the course of gameplay, come across notation that looks like “1d12” or “3d6.” Here, the first number says how many dice you need, and the second number tells how many sides they should have. For example, 3d6 means to use three 6-sided dice. In campaigns, people may say only “d12” or “d4.” This simply means that you use one die of the type that’s to be used.
Let’s start big with the 20-sided die. This one is used for things like making skill checks (like sneaking past guards or being able to recall history about a certain topic), making saving throws (like dodging a spell attack or withstanding a poison), or making an attack roll (like firing an arrow at an enemy or hitting him over the head with a vase). The only time that you roll more than one 20-sided die is when you roll with advantage or disadvantage. Rolling with advantage means that you roll two of these dice and take the higher number; disadvantage is the same routine except taking the lower number. The d20 is also used to determine death saves, which happen when your character is knocked unconscious below 0 hit points. You have to make 3 successful saves for your character to become stable: a 2-10 is a failed save, an 11-19 is a successful save, a 1 is considered 2 failed saves, and a 20 immediately stabilizes your character at 1 hit point.
The d20 is probably the easiest die to use, followed by the d4. The d4 is used for simple things like the damage dealt by a small weapon (like a dagger or a dart), certain conditions (like a burning effect that deals minor damage over time), or other miscellaneous things (like minor healing potions).
The rest of the dice--the d6, d8, d10, and d12--are the most used dice in the game. They determine attack damage, points healed, and how many points your character gets when leveling up. As your character levels up, the number of dice used in an attack increases. For example, rogues deal extra damage because of their sneak attack ability, and some spells gain additional damage dice when your character reaches a high level.
In a set of seven dice, there are two d10s: one numbered 0-9 and another labeled 00-90 (going up by tens). These are called the percentage dice, used for tables that have various items or effects that your character might encounter (such as the trinkets table in the Player’s Handbook or the magic items table in the Dungeon Master’s Guide). Just for example’s sake, let’s say the d10 with single digits rolled a 6 and the d10 with double digits rolled a 70; the “percent” rolled would be 76. If all of the rolled numbers are zero, then the “percent” is 100. Percentage dice help with effects that have a certain chance of occurring (like the Horn of Blasting, which has a 20 percent chance of blowing up every time that it is used).
Knowing how the dice work is a crucial part of playing the game--your character’s life depends on them. It’s not mandatory that you have your own dice set because most players are willing to share, but the dice are a fun and important part of the game.
By Zach Strike
Okay, yeah, I know, bad pun. But this is actually a really cool topic. I think it’s safe to assume that we have all been raised with Lent and Lenten services. Some families may have traditions or things they give up (it’s okay if you do that, even if you’re not Catholic), and the like. But, really, where did it come from? Where did those traditions generate, or the Lent schedule originate from?
In this article, I’m hoping to tell you some things you don’t know about this season that we all know so well. We’re going to delve into the secular customs, other synod and religion traditions, and all that jazz.
Do you know where Lent came from? I can just hear someone saying, in a dufus voice, “The Bible,” but, then they’d be wrong. Yes, of course Lent is based off of Christ’s Passion, but the actual calendar celebration originated from… you guessed it, the Catholics. It is recorded that the Catholics started the tradition of
Let me LENT You Some Knowledge
Lent in 325 AD during the Council of Nicea. Of course the tradition has spread and been altered throughout orthodox religions.
The Catholics have a lot of well-known customs during Lent, such as fasting (on Wednesdays) and not eating meat. This concept of giving something up for Lent can be a reminder then of how much Christ gave up for us.
This concept of Christ giving things up for us and eventually making the ultimate sacrifice spurs the well-known tradition of giving something up for Lent. Whether it be chocolate or coffee, or the like, if you choose to participate in this tradition, do so with the fact in your heart that doing this is not something necessary for your salvation, or something that makes you holier. You all know this, but still, a reminder just the same.
So, why do we celebrate Lent in forty days (not including the Sundays, because the Sundays aren’t actually a part of Lent, even though loads of pastors still preach about Lenten things on those Sundays *taps nose* You got it, you got it)? Well, remember that whole thing of Jesus enduring the brutal temptations from Satan in the wilderness? Yeah, kind of a big deal. Remember how long He was out there? Oh, you’re good. Yes, forty days. So, in celebrating Lent for forty days, it can be a way of remembering the sacrifices Christ made on our account. He endured the same temptations we do today. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
Now, we touched on some of the traditions influencing churches and the season, but what about the secular world? What do you always see on signs or commercials from restaurants just before or during Lent? Fish. Fish everywhere. It’s a Friday Fish Fry Frenzy, and restaurants love it. Big business, from Catholics especially, and since Catholics make up nearly a quarter of the United States’ population alone, those restaurants and fast food joints are really raking it in.
Lent is intertwined into national customs as well. In England, the beginning of Lent is marked by making pancakes and also holding pancake races. The British Isles also have one of the most beloved Lenten customs of eating hot cross buns to symbolize the Cross.
In Canada (and since it’s Canada, you already know it’s going to be really weird), they too use pancakes, but it’s different. Various items are baked into pancakes on Mardi Gras. The person who gets a coin will be rich; a ring, will marry; a nail, will become a carpenter; and a thimble, will become a tailor. It’s like a pancake viewing orb to the future. So weird, so wrong. (I still love you, Megan J.)
In some parts of Germany, old Christmas trees are burned during Lent to welcome in spring (Lent being the old Germanic for “spring.”) Holy Week is also honored by the staging of processions and passion plays to remind the faithful of our Lord’s suffering. The most famous of these is held every 10 years in Oberammergau, Germany, a custom that dates back to 1633 when the people of the town vowed to stage a passion play should God be merciful and end an outbreak of the plague. The first play was held the next year. Holy Thursday is known in Germany as “Green Thursday” (Grundonnerstag), for reasons that remain a mystery. The same name is used among the Czechs and the Slovaks. Normally, green foods are eaten, especially green salads and spinach.
So? Pretty cool, huh? I hope you learned something new, or at least funny about the origins of Lent and many different ways people celebrate it.