… is a good Anglo-Saxon term, relating to the lengthening of days leading into Spring time, and referring specifically to the 40-day season (plus Sundays) leading up to Easter. For most Christians (cultural or otherwise), it’s a period of “giving something up,” usually a sacrifice of something that’s not all that good for you to begin with (e.g., chocolate, snacks), though more thoughtful custom simply has one pursuing ways of shaping up one’s life and relationship to God in some fashion, i.e., taking a positive action (more exercise, regular prayer, whatever).
Ironically, though Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting in traditionalist Christian denominations, we’re going to spend it with friends having a nice dinner (after Katherine’s parent-teacher conference).