Pylypiwka
The Pre-Christmas Fast

      Unlike the Great Fast prior to Pascha (Easter), this ancient fast known as Pylypiwka or the pre-Christmas Fast is now seldom practised.  Yet this fast should be observed.  This time should be taken to focus on the mystery of the Incarnation of our Lord.  Our God loved us so much that He humbled himself and took upon human form for the salvation of our souls.

      The word “fast” means not eating all or certain foods.  The purpose of fasting is to remind us of the Scriptural teaching, “Man does not live by bread alone.” The needs of the body are nothing compared to the needs of the soul. Above all else, we need God, who provides everything for both the body and the soul. Fasting teaches us to depend on God more fully.  The first sin of our parents, Adam and Eve, was eating from the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:1-19). We fast from food, or a food item, as a reminder that we are to fast from sin­ning and doing evil.

      Ukrainian Catholics refer to the pre-Christmas fast period as Pylypiwka or St. Philip's Fast, as it always begins on November 15 the day after the feast of St. Philip the Apostle, (November 14).  It ends on December 24^th.   This fast once had very strict rules.  Today, the Church encourages us to abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays.  We are also required to practice the spirit of sacrifice, penance, especially charity.  To prepare to celebrate the joy of Christmas, we fast, we pray more and we increase our acts of love and compassion.  Even though there may be nothing wrong with parties and celebrations in themselves, they do seem to be inconsistent with the spirit of fasting and preparation of this pre- Christmas season.  It is much better to schedule these during the Nativity-Theophany season, during the time of the feast when it is truly a celebration.

      Fasting is a call for conversion directed to our body, and fasting has the special consequence of putting things into proper perspective.  It is a process by which we become free from and independent of all material things. And as we free ourselves from things outside of ourselves, we also free ourselves from the passions within us that are keeping our interior life in chains.  This new freedom will make room in our body for new values.  Therefore, fasting liberates us from a kind of bondage and sets us free to enjoy happiness.

      It is important to approach the fasting with the right attitude.  It does not make sense to abstain from meat on Friday only to go out to an elegant lobster dinner.  It is essential that an inner fast accompany the outer fast.  Fasting involves not just food, but the entire being.  Our mouths should fast from off-color, offensive or hurtful words.  Our eyes should fast from things they shouldn’t see, perhaps movies or television programs that do not promote Christian values.  Our ears should fast from listening to things they shouldn’t, like gossip and music that goes against moral integrity.  Our minds should fast from thoughts that aren’t compatible with our lives as Christians.

      Constant activities and a hectic pace of life are the enemies of a healthy spiritual life.  One of the ways that we can fast in this season is to let go of our frenzied pace of life.  We need to take time to sit at the feet of the Lord and dwell in His presence.  Let us approach this season of preparation in the hope that this time allows us to experience a new awareness of God’s presence, and our need for God.  

      As with all periods of fast before the great feasts, this pre Christmas season should be a time for a deeper internal conversion to Christ.  This can be achieved by embracing the following four practices: prayer, fasting, almsgiving and love.  Below are some suggestions as to how you may want to include these in your life.

Prayer

·        Spend at least 15 minutes in the morning and evening in prayer each day.

·        Pray the Jesus Prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." 100 times a day.

·        Display an icon of the Nativity in the prayer corner of your house or room and spend 10 minutes each day meditating on the saving mysteries surrounding the story of Christ's Birth.

·        Receive the Mystery of Repentance (Confession) at least once during the fast.

Fasting

·           Try to abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays. You might also consider occasionally abstaining from dairy products as well.

     Fast from certain foods, such as soda, alcoholic beverages or candy.

     With each meal, eat only an amount that is sufficient for nutritional needs, without feeling full.

     Fast from select forms of entertainment (television, movies, radio, internet, novels, etc.).

Almsgiving

"Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness ... It is better to give alms than to store up gold; for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life" (Tobit 12:8-9).

Why is almsgiving better than prayer and fasting? Because it is prayer, and it involves fasting. Almsgiving is a form of prayer because it is "giving to God" -- and not mere philanthropy. It is a form of fasting because it demands sacrificial giving -- not just giving something, but giving up something - giving till it hurts.

The practice of almsgiving is based on this:

·        Everything we have comes from God.  Everything is a gift.

·        Every gift is given for the good of all.  The gifts and talents we receive are meant to be shared.

·        God has gifted us with enough to meet our daily needs and even over and above that for almsgiving.  

Daily we should make the choice to give of our time, our attention, and we should give generously. We need to dig deep and give much where much is needed. We need to identify what our essential needs are and what are luxuries.  To carry out God’s call we may need to simplify our lifestyles.     

Almsgiving is not limited to financial support. Whenever possible, our charity should involve personal acts, not just automatic withdrawals from our bank account.  People may be in need of a sympathetic ear, a smile, a word of encouragement.

Sometimes all we can give is a smile, but sometimes that is the greatest sacrifice, the greatest prayer, and indeed the most generous and most sacrificial alms. Now during this time of preparation for the coming of our Lord, let us remember to make almsgiving a priority.  

Love

·        Meditate on the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes and identify one or two of these to put into practice each week.

·        Examine your conscience each night, asking for forgiveness from God or others as needed.

·        Find opportunities to share your faith with others.

Read and Reflect:

Set time aside each day to read scripture especially as it pertains to Christmas and its meaning.  This can include readings from the Old Testament, especially from the prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah.

·        Micah 5:2-4,

·        Baruch 3:35-4:4,

·        Isaiah 7:10-16,

·        Isaiah 8:1-4, 9-10,

·        Genesis 1:1-13,

·        Numbers 24:2-3, 5-9,17-18,

·        Micah 4:6-7,

·        Isaiah 11:1-10,

·        Daniel 2:31-36, 44-45,

·        Isaiah 9:6-7.

·        New Testament:  Matthew 1:18-25,

·        Matthew 2:1-12

·        Matthew 2:13-23

·        Luke 2:1-20

·        Galatians 3:23-29

·        Hebrews 1:1-12

·        Hebrews 1:10-2:3

·        Hebrews 2:11-18

Things to do as a family:

·        Go to church together.  

·        Discuss the Sunday readings and sermon.

·        Make a special effort to look at each other in a positive way.

·        Sacrifice something you like to eat or do.

·        Reach out to someone who could use your attention and help.

·        Gather together for prayer daily.

·        Visit a shut-in together, and perhaps decorate their home for Christmas.

·        When doing Christmas baking, take some to a neighbour.

·        Perform random acts of kindness anonymously such as plugging a parking meter when you are leaving, or leaving a treat on a friend’s or teacher’s desk.

·        In all places, times, and situations, bring the light of Christ.  Ask yourself what Jesus would do, and do it!

Let us approach this time of preparation in the hope that is time allows us to experience a new awareness of His presence.  We should strive to rid ourselves of the thoughts and passions that distract us as our hearts, minds, and voices sing “God is with us”.

 Excerpts adapted from Christ is Born:  pages 17-33