Mutual Encouragement During the Fast & Feast of the Nativity

[Joanna-Innokentovna]

[If this post is in the wrong place, or if posting festal images here is disallowed, my sincere apologies and thanks for your patience - this is my first post here.]

Thanks be to God, and thank you for your prayers.

This is a season of fasting, almsgiving, prayer and internal reflection for us, during what has also become an increasingly prolonged season of secular consumerism and heterodox practices in the world at large. The word "Christmas" has even found its way even into Orthodox prayer books (STS Press' newest prayer book being an example), signaling our collective struggle with ecumenism and Orthodox teaching.

So during this time of "On sale now!" and "Merry Christmas!", I would like to reach out and ask:

Which Nativity readings, hymns, traditions, and memories strengthen you through this time of year? What in the Fast & Feast of Nativity brings you to a fresh connection with the birth of Christ in the cave of your heart? What is most important for you during this time?

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord, have mercy on us. Amen.

 

[Andrei D]

This post is exactly in the right place and for me comes exactly at the right time!

 

[ArmyMatt]

the Holy Supper