What our good God for us has done

As the celebration of the Nativity of Christ draws near, the pace of life picks up. There are gifts to buy, cookies to bake, cards to write, concerts to attend, and a million and one other chores to add to the daily list.

I don't know about you, but I find it most difficult to settle down at this time of year and really take in what it is we are celebrating. One reason I love being Orthodox is that there is an inherent understanding of what is needed to honor Christ's birth. Rather than partying all month long, we are urged to fast from certain foods for forty days prior to Christmas, spend more time in prayer, and increase our almsgiving to those in need. All this to prepare ourselves in joyful expectation of the coming Feast.

There is a proper way to fast, I'm learning. Father Stephen, author of Glory to God for All Things, observes:

"If we fast but do not forgive our enemies – our fasting is of no use. If we fast and do not find it drawing us into humility – our fasting is of no use. If our fasting does not make us yet more keenly aware of the fact that we are sinful before all and responsible to all then it is of no benefit. If our fasting does not unite us with the life of God – which is meek and lowly – then it is again of no benefit.

Fasting is not dieting. Fasting is not about keeping a Christian version of kosher. Fasting is about hunger and humility (which is increased as we allow ourselves to become weak). Fasting is about allowing our heart to break."

When I try to wrap my mind around how much our Creator must love us, I can barely fathom it. I often pray that God would enlighten me just a little enough to understand how much He loves me. Somehow, I instinctively know that if I could grasp His love even a little, it will change my life forever.

I hope that I'm able to slow down enough this season to contemplate, in the words of the Christmas carol, "What our good God for us has done." May we all have thankful hearts and joyful minds this Christmas season.