Nativity Fast

The Nativity Fast is the Orthodox Christian way to experience the waiting which is Advent. Instead of “pre-celebrating” Christmas, they have a 40-day period of fasting, beginning on November 15th (but I wait until sometime AFTER Thanksgiving!)

The Orthodox Church teaches that Advent represents the time before Jesus‚ when the people were disconnected from God. Advent is our chance to experience this loss and disconnection in order to embrace and celebrate the joy of Jesus’ birth in its fullness. During the fast, Orthodox Christians eat less than normal, and avoid meat‚ cheese‚ eggs‚ fish and wine on most days. 

During the Nativity fast, Orthodox Christians keep a primarily vegan diet, without being strict about it - the spirit of the practice is more important than what is actually eaten. Besides fasting, the practice includes also prayer, alms-giving, and love. 

Monday is my day to reset for the week and get my ducks in a row - make some plans for health, home, holiday, and prepare for Grandson fun. Today I'll also make plans for a nativity fast.

Agenda Today:
1. My Nativity fast

2. Prayer for the fast

3. Read "The Sweet Spot"

4. Love

5. Alms-giving

6. Set fast intentions

7. Fall order and Home projects

8. Make Revithia Soupa (Chickpea Soup)

1. Prayer for the fast:

Photo Alan Gillespie

Open my eyes,

O God,

to the marvels that surround me.

Show me the wonder

of each breath I take,

of my every

thought,

word

and movement.

— Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

  

2. Read "The Sweet Spot":

I'm reading this book by Christine Carter (2015), about "How to Find Your Groove". The thesis is that when we hit from our sweet spot we have optimum power and the greatest ease. Part 4 is Cultivate Relationships, and Chapter 6 is How to Die Happy, Giving and Beloved.

This chapter is about how to "foster positive feelings toward the people around me". Sounds like extending grace!

The first part is about "positivity resonance", which is like an amplifier: When we share a smile with another person, our biochemistry synchs up - heart rate, breathing, body language - like a synchronized dance; it requires an actual physical and visual connection - not just an email.

The second part is about how to generate love and connection - basically, be a giving person: collaborate, share, volunteer, be kind, give thanks. She suggests that I start small, and make it an aim to do small favors each day, and be a friendly face.  

3. Love:

I've been trying to get a handle on what the Orthodox Church means when it says Love is part of the nativity fast. 

A Bulgarian writer says, "Fasting is a way to prepare to love; to stop paying so much attention to yourself, to what you eat or drink; to sharpen the senses for the joy of communication; to see things you used to ignore."

Another Orthodox writer says, "Without the presence of a spiritual effort and vigilance; the message of sharing the love of Christ with our neighbor is easily lost. Fasting and praying have, as their goal, to make one more aware of the needs of others."

4. Alms-giving:

Alms-giving is another one of the practices that Orthodox Christians subscribe to during the Nativity Fast. Today I'll start to research and plan the groups I wan to support with end-of-year donations: Probably Oregon Wild, 350 Eugene, and Community Supported Shelters.

5. Set fast intentions:

I'm not Orthodox, but I like the idea of fasting for advent, because it's symbolic to me of keeping it simple, and waiting for Christmas to arrive before beginning the celebration. I practice a relaxed fast: I eat vegetarian more often, I drink less alcohol, eat fewer sweets, and also eat smaller portions of everything. I'm not very strict with myself, and I don't make a big fuss when others cook meat for me.

But I do believe a vegetarian diet is better, over all, for the planet, and I lean towards vegetarian all year round. According to many people, raising animals for food produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all of the cars, planes, and other forms of transportation combined. Other studies indicate that it's more complicated than that, and the ecological benefits of a vegetarian diet depends on where your vegetables come from.

The real purpose of fasting is to help me to focus on receiving and giving the gift of grace. I'll incorporate the four parts of the Orthodox Nativity fast to help me do that, and set some intentions for the next weeks.

Food: I intend to plan several simple vegetarian meals each week, and make an effort to collect local foods; also I intend to eat smaller portions and less alcohol and sweets, because this discipline will help me to remember to be grateful for the abundance of the earth.

 

Prayer: I intend to continue to pray the Hours, adding some new words to keep it fresh, because prayer is one way to remember to notice the marvels that surround me, and also remind me of those who need my prayers and attention.

Love: I intend to be friendly and do small favors each day (even make a list of ideas in the morning) - call or write someone, give small gifts, donate money or food - because Love is the real meaning of Christmas. 

 

Alms: I intend to choose a group or charity to donate to each week of advent - this week, Oregon Wild.

 

6. Fall Order and Home projects:

This month I set an intention to create order and simplicity in my sanctuary, so that everything I keep has a place, all things are honored, and I know what is in each space: Try a daily morning-10-things / aternoon-5-things ritual to help me break a habit of slothfulness (which is really mental overload), because outer order supports inner calm and resilience, and opens the time I need for being Godly. 

My goals this week:

1. Clear the shelves and mantle, and the top of the china cabinet.
2. Clear out the living room crafts cabinet, archive some toys, and restock it with winter kinds of supplies.
3. Clear out the junk left in the yard, and find places for it.

And we are trucking right along on our big renovation project. My next steps:

• Take photos of the saws and post them on Craig's list.
• Design steps and install railing.
• Design a shower, towel cupboard, bamboo planter, and screen.
• Paint the front of the house, and the bedroom windows.

7. Make Revithia Soupa (ρεβιθόσουπα):

I often make this traditional Greek vegan soup to kick off my fast. Revithia means chickpeas; the stock is creamy and lemony-delicious!

Ingredients:

• 2 cans chickpeas
• 2-3 large carrots
• 2 stalks of celery
• 1 large onion
• 3 tsp. salt
• 1-1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 4 dried sage leaves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 c. olive oil
• 1 c. parsley or kale
• 4 large thyme stems
• 2 Tbsp. flour
• lemon wedges

Serves 4-5

1. Chop carrots, celery, and onion (you can add any veggies you like-- this year I added cauliflower). Chop the parsley or kale (I like the flavor of kale better).

2. Combine chickpeas, 5 c. water, and chopped veggies in a soup pot. Season with salt and pepper, sage, and bay leaves. Simmer for 20 minutes.

3. Add the olive oil and stems of thyme. Stir well.

4. Remove 1 cup of hot broth into a small bowl. Add 2 Tbsp. flour to the bowl of hot broth and stir until completely dissolved. Add broth back to the pot and stir well to incorporate. 

5. Continue to cook for 10 more minutes. Remove the sage, bay leaves, and thyme stems before serving. Serve with a wedge of lemon to squeeze into the bowl - the fresh lemon takes the soup to a whole different level!