
Every year before Easter Sunday, Christians worldwide engage in a time of solemn contemplation known as Lent.
Lent is a period of roughly 40 days before Resurrection Sunday that begins with Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days, with the Sundays between the two dates not being included in the observance.
It is common for people observing Lent to give up something they enjoy, with that fast being practiced Monday through Saturday. Some believers use this season as an opportunity to take up another spiritual discipline.
Here are five traditional hymns commonly sung at church services during the season of Lent, including their historical background and one or two verses from each song.