What’s square, sold only one day a year, made with potato flour, sugar, and lard (YUM) and weighs in with 12 to 21 grams of fat? We even stand in line for one . . . a fastnacht!
A popular Pennsylvania Dutch tradition we celebrate in our area is Fastnacht Day. Fried bread indulgence before the hungry days of Lent.
In other parts of the country, many will wear masks and beads to celebrate the Mardi Gras season. Here in the distant outskirts of Lancaster, we remember the custom of Shrove Tuesday as the day to rid pantries of lavish and excess, preparing for sacrifice.
In the life of the church, Lent is the season designed to stretch us to reflect on the Lord.
Holy hope.
To examine the self and the soul. . . and move things out to create more space for a deeper connection to God.
To give up forty days of yes.
To choose to step away from the usual.
A time to prepare for the holiness of Easter.
What does it mean to just give up desserts, television or facebook?
It’s not about what we give up. It’s about what He gave up.
Ash Wednesday begins the forty-day journey to the cross, I hope you’ll make forty grace stops, recording the way, and may your notes of gratitude overflow to more.
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. 1 John 3:16
Verna
How interesting! I’ve never heard if this. Thanks Verbal.
. . . that’s because you’re a South Carolina girl! Thanks, Keiki!
Never heard of it, either! Thanks for the info. Blessings on your time of reflection…
. . . just a “sweet” tradition in these here parts . . . 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Vonda!
Thanks for bringing back memories of when we lived in Telford. Landis bakery was never more busy than on these days.
Blessings as we look forward to lent and coming Easter.
Yep, Mrs Benner’s scratch doughnuts, the forerunner to our season of hope! Wish you were here to share one . . .
Forty grace stops, I like that. 🙂
. . . sometimes a girl just has to make a few grace stops . . . (smile)
But Verna,,,,,,I want the recipe!! Our church has a pancake supper on “Fat Tuesday.” But recently I went on a two day silent retreat and the nuns spoke of the very thing you speak of…40 days of yes to what Christ did on the cross. Yes, I love your phrase “holy hope.” Yes, I will be “ridding my pantry of lavish and excess” . It’s about all that is in my pantry. I will restock with notes of gratitude. Love and appreciation for your words. Marcia
But Marcia . . . I GAVE you the recipe (potato flour, sugar and lard) . . .! Ha. Thank you for your kind words, and restocking your pantry with notes of gratitude, me too! (I’ll send the real recipe to your email address)
Thanks, Verna, for the good reminder to self-reflect. I always need that! I can do without the fastnacht, though! LOL! XO
Thanks, Laura! No, everyone needs a fastnacht once a year .. . .
I bet it is delicious. Probably one of those things better to not know what is in it like Whoopie Pies in Maine where my sister lives. I had never heard of such a thing.
I love it that different regions have different traditions yet all of us who are children of the KING of KINGS are sisters and brothers no matter where we reside.
Am looking forward to the holy days before Easter this year. Hoping to go DEEPER.
Hi Liz! Both whoopie pies and fastnachts use lots of crisco (glorified lard) . . . no matter the tradition or geography, we can rest in the knowledge that we are His as we enter into this time.