C. S. Lewis, in his famous book Mere Christianity, tells the story of a school boy who was asked what he thought God was like. He replied that, as far as he could make out, God was "the sort of person who is always snooping round to see if anyone is enjoying himself and then trying to stop it!" 

Those who see God as that kind of a deity would then most likely see Lent as one long God-filled forty days, when we are to make room in our hearts and our homes for this fun-bashing divine guest, who checks out every nook and cranny of our lives to be sure we aren't having any fun yet. Even if we don't go that far, though, the typical question, "So, what are you giving up for Lent?" doesn't make Lent sound like much fun! Funny, you rarely hear that question at Christmas time! 

It is true that …