The Nativity Fast, or Advent, is not merely a season of waiting but a time of spiritual renewal, calling the faithful to prepare their souls for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In a world that rushes to celebrate Christmas with excess and distraction, the Holy Church bids her children to step away from the noise and turn inward, seeking the true light that is Christ. This season is not one of idle anticipation but of active preparation, where fasting disciplines the body, prayer lifts the soul, and repentance purifies the heart. The joy of Advent is not superficial nor rooted in sentimentality. It is the deep and abiding joy that springs from the promises of God, who has never abandoned His people. The prophet Isaiah proclaims: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.” (Isaiah 9:2) This is the promise given to people burdened by sin and despair, a declaration of divine faithfulness that echoes through the centuries. The coming of Christ, the Light of the World, is the fulfilment of that promise, stirring in us a longing that is both joyous and penitential.
As the fast progresses, the faithful are called to cultivate stillness, to allow the expectation of Christ’s coming to transform them. The world’s hurried celebrations fade in significance compared to the profound mystery of the Incarnation—God becoming man to redeem His creation. This is why the Church does not rush but rather moves with deliberate reverence, guiding her children through a season of preparation so that, when the feast of the Nativity arrives, their hearts may receive Christ with true and abiding joy.
The Nativity Fast is a sacred reminder that the Lord’s promises are not fulfilled according to human reckoning but in the fullness of His divine wisdom. The unfolding of salvation is not dictated by earthly impatience or expectation but by the providence of God, who acts at the appointed time. St. Paul spoke about then when he wrote, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.” (Galatians 4:4-5) The Incarnation was not a haphazard event, nor did it come at a moment of human choosing; rather, it was the culmination of God’s eternal plan, executed with perfect precision.
This sublime truth calls us to deeper trust in the Lord’s timing. Just as generations of the righteous longed for the Messiah and were not disappointed, so too must we learn to wait with faith, knowing that God fulfils His promises when the time is right. Advent is a time of holy expectation, not just for the Nativity, but for the ongoing work of Christ in our own lives. Each passing day of this fast strengthens our anticipation, urging us to surrender our anxieties, impatience, and uncertainties, and instead embrace the mystery of divine providence.
To prepare for the coming of Christ is to prepare our hearts to receive Him as He comes—both in the humility of Bethlehem and in the fullness of His second coming. The waiting of Advent is a call to readiness, an invitation to deepen our prayer, increase our repentance, and fix our hope more firmly on the Lord. The gift of His presence is not one we grasp through our own efforts but one we receive in stillness, faith, and unwavering trust in His perfect will.
The Nativity Fast carries with it a dual character—penitence and joyful expectation. It is a time of preparation, calling the faithful to self-examination, repentance, and spiritual vigilance. Yet, unlike the heavy sorrow of Great Lent, Advent’s penitence is suffused with hope. The Church does not fast in mourning but in anticipation, knowing that the dawn of salvation is near. St. Paul’s exhortation, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) This is a command rooted in the reality of Christ’s coming. The joy of Advent is not dependent on worldly circumstances but on the unshakable promise of redemption. Let us also bear in mind that this joy is not superficial or fleeting, nor does it contradict the call to repentance. Rather, it springs from the nearness of Christ, who comes to save, to heal, and to restore. Just as a weary traveller rejoices at the sight of home on the horizon, so too does the Holy Church rejoice, even in the midst of penance, because the Redeemer draws near. The examination of conscience, the offering of prayer, and the ascetic discipline of fasting are not burdens but preparations for the great feast to come.
Above all, Advent’s joy is rooted in the certainty of God’s mercy. Even as we confront our sins and weaknesses, we do so with confidence, knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ does not delay in His compassion. The very purpose of His coming is to lift the burden of sin and bring light into the darkness. Thus, the penitential aspect of Advent does not cast a shadow over its joy but refines it, leading the faithful to greet the Nativity with hearts made pure and ready to receive the King who humbles Himself to be born among us.
The Theotokos, the exemplar of Advent joy, teaches us how to respond to the coming of Christ. Her Magnificat, proclaimed during her visitation to St. Elizabeth, is a hymn of gratitude and joy: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:46-49) The Blessed Mother’s song reminds us that true joy is found in recognising the mighty works of God and trusting in His mercy.
This season is an opportunity to prepare ourselves spiritually, to cast away the works of darkness, and to adorn our souls with virtues befitting the King of kings. The joy of Advent is the serious recognition that God Himself has entered into human history to save us. In this holy season, let us not be swept away by the distractions of the world and the commercialisation of Christmas. Instead, may we embrace the joys of Advent: the joy of hope, the joy of preparation, and the joy of the promise fulfilled in Christ. With hearts made ready, we will greet the Saviour with the same faith and joy as the shepherds and wise men, singing with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”
May God bless you +
Fr. Charles
13 November 2024
