The Nativity Fast begins today. We think of fasting as being a chore; as something we have to do. And in a way, while we don’t have to fast, we should. For instance, last week when I sat down for my Thanksgiving meal I was starving, I didn’t fill up on anything before but waited for the main course. I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much if I had spent all day filling up on other foods.

The difference here is that our preparation is for more than just one meal; for that matter, more than just one church holy day, the Lord’s Nativity. Let’s not forget those following it: His Circumcision, Baptism, His Presentation in the Temple, not to mention the ones connected  to those – St. John the Baptist, St. Stephen the Protomartyr……

It’s an entire liturgical cycle of salvific events. But whatever the case, the key…