More about preparing for Christmas

The “Nativity Fast” is about more than abstaining from certain foods. Fasting, praying, and giving alms during this season is a change of outward behavior that we hope will change our inward behavior, our thoughts and intentions. Everything we do as Christians, is aimed at transforming our hearts. The fast helps us in specific ways.

Without Christ’s help, we are held captive to the “passions,” or “sin.” The passions are certain thoughts, desires, and aversions that cause us trouble, that get in the way of having a peaceful heart. They lead us to act badly, and to hurt ourselves and others. Because of the passions, we are alienated from God and those around us.

Three passions cause us more trouble than the others. These three are the devil’s Marine Corps. They make the first landing on the beach of our heart. They clear the way for other armies of passions to enter and destroy us. These three are: the desire for comfort, the desire for a good reputation, and the desire for wealth. These three are also called “gluttony, vainglory, and greed.”

Fasting from food combats gluttony. Prayer combats vainglory. Giving alms combats greed. These are spiritual tools that are not given to us so that we might conquer the passions by ourselves. But when we do these things, we are living as Christ teaches us to live; we move closer to God and our neighbor. Our alienation is over. We become ready to celebrate the feast of Christmas with hearts that are open to the gift of Jesus Christ.

Preparing for Christmas

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, our bodies are busy: buying gifts, making plans, writing cards, and cooking food. This outward preparation prepares us for a festive time where we take a break from work, and spend time with loved ones. Yet our fathers and mothers in the faith remind us not to neglect the inner preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth. From November 15 until December 24, Orthodox Christians prepare spiritually for the feast by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The purpose of these things is not to become “puffed up” or prideful at our own religiosity or piety, but to draw us closer to Jesus Christ.

Today is a good day to pray! Prayer begins with saying certain words to God. The “Our Father” teaches us the kinds of things we should pray. But prayer is more than just reciting words. St. Theophan the Recluse wrote, “Feeling towards God—even without words—is a prayer. Words support and sometimes deepen the feeling.” Spending time with Him who loves us is how our healing begins.

The Orthodox monastic practice of fasting includes abstaining from animal products and alcohol. For most of us, these rules are difficult to follow consistently. Yet we gain spiritual benefit from the fasting that we do undertake. St John Cassian suggests moderation: “Food is to be taken in so far as it supports our life, but not to the extent of enslaving us to the impulses of desire. To eat moderately and reasonably is to keep the body in health, not to deprive it of holiness. A clear rule for self-control… is this: stop eating while still hungry and do not continue until you are satiated.” On Thanksgiving, we don’t fast! On this unique American holiday, we eat and give thanks to the God who has given us so many gifts.

“As water extinguishes a blazing fire, so almsgiving atones for sin.” –Sirach 3.30 Giving of our time, talents, and treasure helps us be less self-centered and helps us practice that virtue that is the goal of all of our labor: love.

May God bless your prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during this busy season!