Nativity Fast

The Natiivity Fast is one of the four major fasts of the Church which calls us to spiritual reflection and self-examination as we prepare for the coming of our Lord in the flesh on Christmas Day. The fast runs from November 15 through Christmas Eve. In our day of extreme materialism and conspicuous consumption and especially during the holiday season when everyone around us is obsessed with shopping, presents, parties, and eating and drinking, the discipline of fasting is counter-cultural. Rather than indulging our appetites, the Church reminds us of the words of Christ who said, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) She does this by giving us a season of fasting wherein we abstain from meat, fish, oil, wine, dairy, and eggs as well as eating less frequently and with smaller potions. It’s not easy! We seek to master our bodily appetite and focus on our spiritual condition. Fasting puts into practice Jesus’s words of