Lent is almost upon us, and if you're following this season, you know that it all begins with Ash Wednesday. There is a lot of confusion surrounding how to properly observe this date in the Christian year, so here are some things that I have observed about it:

1. It's called "the imposition of ashes," not "smearing people's foreheads." It is highly important to realize that Ash Wednesday is a significant date that deserves the full pomp and ceremony of the other important dates. You had a chance to party on the day before (Mardi Gras), and now it is time to seriously consider your personal walk with Christ as you prepare to "walk" with him for the next 40 days. make sure that whatever you do to commemorate the day reflects that seriousness.

2. You're supposed to get your ashes from burning the palm fronds from last year's Palm Sunday. A number of churches ha ve trouble coming up with the ashes they need for the service. Do not use ash tray sweepings. Also, please be aware that you need to get the ashes in advance. Burning the palm fronds produces a smell that is somewhat similar to a Grateful Dead concert, so try not to have that scent lingering in the air or on your clothes as people arrive to observe the day. Some wood ashes work all right, but it is best to limit the smells as much as possible.

3. It's not all that important to make sure that the ashes "stick" to people. If you are doing a traditional "imposition," you might want to make nice, neat crosses on people's foreheads, and that can lead to the temptation to add things to the ashes to make them more well-defined. I've tried water, which doesn't mix with ashes, and olive oil, which smells bad, and neither worked out for me. So I urge you not to give in to this temptation. If you go the route of letting people come forward and use a white sheet to clean ashes off their hands (as a symbol to show throughout the season) you will not have this problem.

4. Do good research in advance, and be sure to tell everyone why you are doing your service the way you are. Remember that Ash Wednesday, like a lot of days on the Christian Calendar, is there to educate people and put them more in touch with the life of Jesus. I like textweek as a resource, since it is very diverse, free, and has extremely limited advertising. Whether you are dealing with a congregation that does this every year, or are doing it for the first time, it is always good to talk about rituals as you perform them. It helps people understand what you're doing, what is expected of them, and what they are supposed to be looking for as they participate.

Hopefully, these suggestions will help you get started or at least better observe this important day in the Christian Year. What's happening in your congregation this Ash Wednesday?

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