Dearly Beloved,

 I hope this letter finds you well.  As we come to February, it seems like it was only yesterday that we were celebrating Advent and the birth of our Savior.  Yet, already, Ash Wednesday and Lent approaches our doorstep.  Sure, we have Valentine’s Day in February, too, but when we look beyond the days of romance, we start to encounter a love that’s deeper than chocolates (and believe me, I take my chocolates pretty seriously) and see our eyes and hearts opened to true love—a love that goes beyond infatuation and romance to one of unwavering commitment.

 Jesus came to show us—no, embody for us—love that is unbreakable.  Yet, it all began with preparation.  Before Jesus embarked on his journey to minister to the world, he fasted in preparation.  For us, as sinners in need of repentance, we also embark on a journey of preparation.  We must repent and be ready to not only turn away from sin, but walk with Christ and grow closer to God.  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of that journey.

 I am not saying that we should not celebrate Valentine’s Day with our loved ones, romantic or otherwise.  In fact, my wife might not appreciate that.  However, in the midst of this world’s obsession with romance and fleeting love, let us prepare together to be onboard with Christ’s mission in the world—to feed the poor and proclaim release to the captives.  Let us humble ourselves and deny ourselves the luxuries we have become so accustomed to, and may we let go of the yearning for the excessive riches of the earth that cannot last, so that we may develop the mind and heart of Jesus.  Let us be ready to receive and celebrate the life and love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ!

 Love and peace in Christ,

Pastor Daniel