The Advent season is a beautiful time of preparation that invites us to focus our hearts and minds on Christ’s promises—His glorious second coming and the joyful celebration of His birth at Christmas. It’s a season that calls us to be vigilant and ready, setting aside distractions and worldly concerns (Lk 21:34-36). Much like Lent, the liturgical color of Advent is purple, reflecting a spirit of penance and preparation. This season encourages us to quiet our minds, practice discipline, and make space for Christ. One meaningful way to enter into this spirit is by participating in the Nativity Fast, also known as Philip’s Fast.
The Nativity Fast begins earlier than Advent, starting on November 15, the day after the feast of St. Philip on the Eastern Catholic liturgical calendar. Spanning 40 days, it culminates in the joyous celebration of Christ’s Nativity on December 25. This fast is far more than a period of dietary restriction—it is a profound spiritual journey. It serves as both an invitation and a heartfelt response, helping us prepare our hearts for the incarnation of God in the world. Through fasting, we say “yes” to Christ, welcoming Him into our lives with open and ready hearts.
Fasting, at its core, is an act of humility and obedience. It teaches us to relinquish our attachment to material comforts and focus on our inner lives. In a world that often prioritizes consumption and self-indulgence, the Nativity Fast offers a countercultural rhythm. By abstaining from certain foods, we create space to examine our relationship with God and others. This abstinence is not about deprivation for its own sake, but about making room for God to dwell in us.
The fast is also a time of anticipation. Similar to the Wise Men who followed the star, we are also on a journey of seeking Christ. This journey involves more than physical preparation; it calls for an alignment of our hearts and minds with God. Through prayer, we deepen our communion with God, seeking His guidance and strength. Through almsgiving, we extend Christ’s love to those in need, remembering that He came into the world as a humble child.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Nativity Fast, during the Advent season, is its invitation to slow down. In the midst of a season often marked by frantic activity and commercialism, this period asks us to pause and live more simply. It challenges us to resist the noise and distractions that can so easily drown out the still, small voice of God. Instead, we are called to cultivate silence and attentiveness, allowing the mystery of the Incarnation to take root in our souls. As one of my spiritual mentors once said, “If you don’t choose silence, silence won’t choose you.”
However, the fast is not without its challenges. Balancing its spiritual demands with secular ideas of the holiday season can be difficult. Festive gatherings, Black Friday sales, and cultural traditions often clash with the ascetic practices of the Church. Yet, these moments can become opportunities for witness. By gently explaining the purpose of the fast and choosing to participate in ways that honor its spirit, we can share the deeper meaning of this sacred time with others.
Ultimately, the Nativity Fast during Advent is about hope. It reminds us that Christ’s birth was not just an event in history but a continual invitation for renewal and repentance. Each day of the fast brings us closer to the light of the Nativity, a light that dispels the darkness of sin and death. This hope is not just for ourselves but for the whole world, as we celebrate Emmanuel, “God with us.”
As we journey through this Advent season, let us embrace the Nativity Fast with open hearts. May it be a time of spiritual growth, meaningful reflection, and joyful anticipation. In the stillness of this sacred preparation, we encounter the profound truth that God’s love is born anew in us, inviting us to live as bearers of His light in a world longing for redemption.
AUTHOR: Kristina Rouditchenko, Music Teacher
