Preparing for Birth: The Fast of the Nativity

The fast of the Nativity (November, 15th through December 24th) is first mentioned historically in the 7th Century. The only universal fasting rules (canons) of the Church that exist refer to Great Lent (40 days before Pascha or Easter); which is the most severe fast of the year. The fast of the Nativity on the other hand, varied in duration and degree of severity throughout the Church. The Nativity fast is less severe than Great Lent. The following is presented as a guide to fasting during the 40 days leading to the birth of Christ.

  • Meat is not to be eaten for the duration (exceptions as explained below).
  • Wine, Fish and oil are allowed except on Wednesdays and Fridays.
  • The last 7 days (December 17th - 24th) are to be kept as strict as possible.
  • A strict fast consists of no meat, fish, dairy products, wine and oil.

The fast of the Nativity exists as a period of preparation for the great feast of the birth of Christ. The coming of the messiah is a great mystery. In order to enter into the depths of a mystery of God, proper preparation is required.

The "Christmas season" has been the victim of marketing and exploitation as it displays the fruits of the Holy Spirit with banners of "Peace, Hope, and Joy." Any connection to the miraculous birth of Christ and God's visitation to earth is lost in the name of greed and commercialism. Anyone who lives in this environment needs to be watchful in prayer and fasting with vigilance in order to begin to comprehend, with awe, the mystery of God's self-emptying.

Basking ourselves with parties, sweet treats and the bestowing of gifts on friends and family members without the balance of spiritual vigilance results in a numbness towards others. Fasting and praying have, as their goal, to make one more aware of the needs of others. The sign of authentic Christian life is found when a community attempts to "out do" one another in serving one another. According to the Church, if we are found to be lacking in this "one thing" there is no salvation for us (Matthew 25).

Once the birth of Christ comes, the Church is in a state of feasting until the day before Epiphany in January. This is a fast free period even on Wednesday and Friday. All of the fasting, prayer and almsgiving of the Nativity fast receive a double blessing with the waters of rebirth. The Feast of Epiphany on January 6 declares that baptism is our source of being regenerated or born again in Christ. It serves as an opportunity for the Orthodox to mystically enter again into the waters of baptism. The prayer that sanctifies the holy water of Epiphany is identical to the prayer that sanctifies the waters of baptism. If we have remained vigilant prior to Christmas then on the Epiphany the whole of creation can be seen with the new eyes of faith. We are given the opportunity to begin again!

Meat is to be abstained from with certain exceptions during this time of the fast. "Traditionalist" as they are called, see no room for exceptions. Such an attitude misses one of the most fundamental rules of fasting, which is that the law of love and hospitality must never be forgone in order to adhere to any "rule."

One would also have to ignore the testimonies from the lives of the saints that bear witness to very pious monks taking visitors during great Lent and the smell of meat cooking was found to be coming from their dwelling. Further, one would have to ignore the fact that Christ's disciples did not fast while in the presence of the bridegroom. "Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting and people came and said to him "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guest fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. (Mark 2:18-20)

We are to receive one another as if to receive Christ. If one is hosting a holiday party it is within the Tradition of the Church to break the fat as a gesture of hospitality and love. I recommend; however, that Orthodox Christians host celebrations prior to December 12 so that a strict fast is kept the week prior to Christmas.

I pray that we may find the renewal that awaits us during this Winter Lent. It is a time for a journey of rebirth May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Sprit be with you all!

In Christ's Love,

+Fr. Andrew