Categories: orthodox-life, spiritual-journey
Date: 14 November 2006 11:04:04
The Nativity Fast begins tomorrow. As we journey with the Lenten Fast towards Pascha (Easter), through the Nativity Fast we journey to that glorious Feast, the Nativity According to the Flesh of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ (I have said the Orthodox don't go for brevity in feast names: this is a good example!) -- Christmas. As with the Lenten Fast there is an emphasis on fasting, prayer, and almsgiving: and also, while we abstain from food, we are challenged to abstain from all sin: anger, envy, judging, and all of those things which cause offence and injustice to our neighbours, and ourselves.
Along the journey are a number of feasts days, including The Presentation of the Theotokos on November 21, St Nicholas (yes, him! and I find his life more amazing than that of Santa's!) on December 6, as well as a remembrance of the great Prophets, Fathers and Mothers of the Old Testament on the Sunday of the Forefathers.
Going into shopping centres and department stores I often feel like I am over Christmas already -- but, by the grace of God, may I, through the Nativity Fast and the hymns of the church at this time, draw deeper and deeper into the true meaning of this season. My prayers are with you all for a blessed journey to Nativity: whether you are Eastern Orthodox and begin tomorrow(*); or if you are in one of the Western liturgical churches, or are in a Western-Rite Orthodox church, that begin Advent in a few weeks; or however you mark the journey to or arrival at Christmas. God bless.
(*)update: thank you Luz for reminding me of our Orthodox brothers and sisters on the Old Calendar: who begin in just under two weeks