December is the month when Christians worldwide celebrate the birth of Christ, one of the most holy events of the Christian year. Different denominations of Christianity prepare for Christmas in different ways. The two most celebrated pre-Christmas traditions are the Nativity Fast, practiced by many Orthodox Christians, and Advent, observed primarily in the Catholic and Protestant denominations that originated in Western Europe. These observations have several similarities but are also marked by some distinct differences.
The Nativity Fast has many parallels with the Lenten season immediately preceding Easter. The purpose of the Nativity Fast is to prepare oneself mentally for the birth of Christ, and the physical and spiritual requirements recall the suffering of the Holy Family immediately prior to Christ’s birth. The length of the fast varies from 28 days to 42 days, depending upon the denomination. For most denominations, the Nativity Fast begins around November 15 although churches in countries still using the Julian calendar begin the fast 15 days later. Certain foods are avoided, including most meats, poultry, eggs, fish and wine, but these foods are allowed on occasional days during the lengthy period of fasting. The emphasis on prayer, humility and atonement supersedes the importance of the dietary requirements. The Nativity Fast is officially over when the first stars are observed on Christmas Eve and is followed by the traditional Christmas feast on Christmas Day.
Advent is also a period of increased prayer and religious observance but does not include a strict requirement to fast. The Advent season consists of the four Sundays immediately before Christmas and Christmas Eve. In the early church, fasting during Advent was observed. The fasting period began around St. Martin’s Day, November 11, but the requirement to fast was dropped over time by both Catholics and Protestants. Modern Advent observances generally include a wreath with candles that are lit on each successive Sunday and Christmas Eve in many Christian households and churches. The lighting of the candles is accompanied by appropriate scriptures detailing the events leading up to the manger in Bethlehem. The season of Advent also carries an additional inference to preparing for the second coming of Christ in addition to preparing to observe the historic birth of Christ. While Advent and the Nativity Fast seem to be two analogous traditions that sprang from the same root, preparing for Christ’s return to Earth is not as important a part of the Nativity Fast as it is to the Advent observance.
