A Christmas fast used to be a commonly practiced part of the Christmas season. Some Christians such as Roman Catholics practiced a Christmas fast on Christmas Eve. Abstaining from meat was very common. Orthodox Christians also eliminated dairy as well. Nowadays, the practice of following a Christmas fast is not widely practiced.
We’re Just Not As Disciplined
You might be wondering whatever happened to the Christmas fast. There are a few reasons that a Christmas fast is not a common practice anymore. The Christmas season is changing. Strict adherence to religious observation is declining. Church attendance has declined, and with it so has the practice of once commonly practiced observances such as fasting.
Some Still Do Fast
St. Peter’s Fast is one type of religious observance that the Russian Orthodox observe. The rules of St. Peter’s Fast are similar to the Christmas Fast which begins on November 15 and lasts until December 24. Meat, eggs, and dairy are to be avoided. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, fish, oil, and wine are also forbidden. Russian Orthodox can eat fish on weekend days and on the Great Feast Days that fall on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
The Easy Way To Fast
A more liberal Christmas fast consists of avoiding meat on Christmas Eve, and Orthodox Christians also usually avoid dairy as well. Nowadays, though, a growing number of Christians do not follow strict fasting guidelines. It’s hard to predict whether or not a Christmas fast will ever we widely observed again, but considering that Christmas is becoming more of a secular holiday, it seems unlikely that a Christmas fast will again be popular.
Buckle Down and Do It
If you haven’t observed any religious fasting in many years, you might consider a Christmas fast this holiday season. You can follow the recommendations of your particular religious tradition, or you can adapt them depending on whether you have any medical restrictions. Check with your doctor and clergy if you are unsure on how to modify a Christmas fast to fit your dietary restrictions.
