[aMorePerfectUnion]

“Ash Wednesday worship, like Palm Sunday worship, is a Christian tradition. “

Palm Sunday is rooted in the Jewish Feasts. The celebration of that feast was why people were carrying palms and used them to welcome Christ as king in the triumphal entry.

Ash Wednesday has no Jewish Feast connection, nor no practice before 100 ad. In that sense, no, it also has no Christian roots.

At some point after the Scriptures were written, the Apostles died and time moved on quite a way, some Christians began to do this. It arose later. I suspect its origin was pagan religion incorporated into Rome’s version of Christianity.

At this point, some Christian religions do it. It is certainly a tradition for them now.

[xzins]

There is so much we do that is based on sanctified tradition. Pulpits, church buildings, organs, pianos, sermons, testimonies, special singing, altar calls (an endless list, really). It is the same with calendar traditions. There is no place I know of in scripture where we're commanded to worship on Sunday morning, although gathering on the first day of the week can be demonstrated. Just to be really frank with you, I can think of a non-religious reason for fasting toward the end of winter, and that is simply that it would be a good time to do it in regard to stretching food supplies. To use that as a good time also to contemplate Christ and his steadfast progress toward the cross and to engage in sackcloth, ashes, and bearing one's cross is not a bad thing to do. It strikes me as a positive tradition.

[Heart-Rest]

"Palm Sunday is rooted in the Jewish Feasts. The celebration of that feast was why people were carrying palms and used them to welcome Christ as king in the triumphal entry. Ash Wednesday has no Jewish Feast connection, nor no practice before 100 ad. In that sense, no, it also has no Christian roots."

=============================================================

Palm branches were used in Jesus dramatic entry into Jerusalem. The crowd eventually went from shouting "Hosanna!" to "Crucify Him!"

Last year's palm leaves from "Palm Sunday" are collected and burned to make the ashes for this year's "Ash Wednesday", the beginning of "Lent", a special time of sorrow for having turned away from God. There is a symbolic connection.

[Grateful2God]

Read the posts; know the facts; don’t suspect, learn.