Etching of Pancakes being flipped on Shrove Tuesday -Source: Book of Days

I can remember thinking when I was very young that “Fat Tuesday” must be really
important — big as in a big deal! Of course the day before the start of Lent on
Ash Wednesday goes by many names: Fasnacht, Mardi Gras, Sprengidagur and pancake
day to name just a few. Each of these names brings local and ethnic traditions
together with the time that stands between Epiphany (January 6th) and the start
of Lent. While today Shrove Tuesday refers most often to the day, it can also
refer to this whole period of time leading up to Lent.

The Customs of Shrove Tuesday

The name ’Shrove Tuesday’, the most common name I hear used today, is derived
from the word ’shrive’ which means to obtain forgiveness for sins and is most
often understood as gaining this forgiveness while in the process of undergoing
some form of penitence or work. Interestingly, Shrove Tuesday itself isn’t the
day of penitence as one might believe given the name’s meaning. Rather customs
associated with Shrove Tuesday arose in preparation for the longer season of
Lent in which fasting and giving up luxury items was and continues to be a
practice in the Christian tradition. It is this tradition of Lenten disciple and
that the essence of Fat Tuesday arises. On this day, in times from before the
reformation, people would gather up the fat, lard, eggs, milk and meat for use
prior to Ash Wednesday. Pancakes are one handy way to use large quantities of
these ingredients and became a food commonly eaten on this day. Alternatively,
sausage and other meats could also be found as a part of Shrove Tuesday dinners.
Furthermore, this is the reason why at Messiah people are also asked to help
supply the ingredients for the dinner as it is an opportunity to help use up
these items before Lent! The term Fasnacht which is also sometimes used at
Messiah comes from the German heritage and originally refers to a pastry which
was traditionally served on Shrove Tuesday. On Fasnacht day, the fasnacht pastry
was used in place of pancakes.
Shrove Tuesday, Lent and Lenten Discipline

Of course, in our Lutheran tradition, we are hardly ones to easily pass up an opportunity to gather around a meal, either at the Lord’s Table or the kitchen table. However the history of Shrove Tuesday does lead to some import considerations for the day. First, Shrove Tuesday as a custom and practice was a step in preparing for Lent While not an actual liturgical day or rite, it was none the less an essential ritual to prepare for the Lenten season. Viewed in
this light, it can continue in this tradition of preparation. Second, the emphasis on fasting or forgoing certain food or other items has also become less common today. Giving up certain food items is more readily the realm of diets,
health concerns or even a scientific approach to ‘staying in shape’. While these
health concerns are important it may distance these actions from understanding
giving up certain foods as a Lenten discipline and a spiritual undertaking.
Preparation then on Shove Tuesday can be an opportunity to explore these
connections between spiritual disciplines. Furthermore these pancakes till taste
good. And in that there is much to celebration on the eve of Lent.