7 Interesting Facts About Christmas

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, December 24, 2017

A Nativity Fast

Candles are lit as Salisbury Cathedral celebrates the beginning of Advent with a candle lit service and procession, 'From Darkness to Light', in Salisbury, Britain November 27, 2015. — Candles are lit as Salisbury Cathedral celebrates the beginning of Advent with a candle lit service and procession, "From Darkness to Light", in Salisbury, Britain November 27, 2015. | (Photo: REUTERS/Peter Nicholls)

During the Medieval Era, it was common practice for Christians to fast during the Christmas season of Advent, in a ritual comparable to modern day Lenten fasts.

"In the Middle Ages, Christmas did not begin until 25 December and lasted for twelve days. The rest of December was Advent, a period of fasting like Lent," noted the University of Leeds.

"People were not supposed to eat meat or dairy during this time, but the rich would have spent a lot of money on fish and seafood like sturgeon, eels and oysters."

In the modern day, denominations like the Orthodox Church practice a "Nativity Fast" in preparation for the Christmas holiday.

"As in the case of Great Lent, the Nativity Fast is one of preparation, during which we focus on the coming of the Savior by fasting, prayer, and almsgiving," explained the Orthodox Church in America.

"Just as we would refrain from eating a lot before going to an expensive restaurant for dinner—if we 'ruin our appetite' we will enjoy the restaurant less—so too we fast before the Nativity in order to more fully feast and celebrate on the Nativity itself."