November 30th, 2025: Remember Christ This Season
In the Old Testament we see a constant pattern in the life of God’s people. They were loved by God and cared for by Him. Yet they often pushed back. They acted like children who wanted their own way. They wanted what felt easy or fun at the moment. They forgot the reason God gave them His commandments. God gave them these gifts so their hearts would stay close to Him.
Over time the people began to care more about rules than the God who gave the rules. They treated the law like a god. They focused on details about fabrics and colors while forgetting the Lord who gave them life. When they reached the time of Christ, this habit had grown deep. They cared more about guarding their rules than opening their hearts to God.
This is what we see in the Gospel reading today. Christ heals a woman who has suffered for eighteen years. Instead of giving thanks to God, the leaders get upset. They shout that it happened on the Sabbath. They forgot that God made the Sabbath so His people could rest in Him. They treated the Sabbath as a wall instead of a path that leads to the Lord.
Christ calls them out. He reminds them that they forgot the reason for the law. He shows them that God’s mercy is greater than their narrow view of the Sabbath. His healing reveals the heart of God. Christ shows that the love of God always comes first. He shows that God Himself is standing in front of them, and they missed it because they loved their rules more than the Lord.
As we move through the Nativity Fast, we face a similar danger. The world around us is loud. There are cookies, candy, lights, parties, sales, and movies that pull us in. It tells us this season is about fun and comfort. It tells us that joy comes from treats and not from Christ. It is easy to replace Christ with these things without even thinking about it.
The fast gives us a chance to stop and remember what matters. The fast is not here to burden us. It is here to help us turn our eyes to Christ. The fast is a tool that helps us slow down, pray more, and remember why Christ came into the world. He came to save us. He came to heal us. He came so we can enter His Kingdom.
Many people treat the fast like a test. They act like God is pleased only when they follow every small detail without fail. But the fast is not meant to become our god. It is not meant to replace Christ. It is meant to lead us to Him. When the fast becomes about pride or fear, we fall into the same trap as the leaders in the Gospel reading.
There will be moments this season when the fast is hard. There may be family visits, work gatherings, or Christmas parties. You may face meals where you cannot control what is served. You may feel pressure to eat what others give you. The Church does not want you to treat these moments with fear or shame. Instead, treat them with humility. If you must break the fast, keep your heart on Christ. Say extra prayers that night. Pray the Jesus Prayer. Thank God for His presence in your life.
The fast works when it turns our minds and hearts toward Him. That is what matters. Christ must stay first. Do not let the world take His place. Do not let comfort take His place. Do not let your own ego take His place.
There was a saying I saw recently that said an atheist does not believe in God because he replaces God with his ego. We can fall into this even if we believe. When we forget Christ during this season, we choose our ego over Him. We choose what feels good instead of what draws us close to the Lord who came to save us.
This season can still have joy. It can still have family, friends, and celebration. These are good gifts. But they must sit under the greater joy that Christ gives. If you enjoy a gathering, keep Christ in your mind. If someone tells you happy holidays, feel free to answer with Merry Christmas or even Christ is born, glorify Him. Speak His name with love because He is the reason for this season.
The world will try to distract us. The enemy will try to pull our attention away from Christ. He wants us to forget the reason for this fast. He wants the noise of the world to feel bigger than the voice of God. But Christ came into the world so that you would never be alone. He came as a child so you could learn to love Him with a simple heart.
As we continue the fast, take a little time each day to remember Him. Light a candle. Say a short prayer. Read a small passage of Scripture. Think of the moment when we will gather to say Christ is born and glorify Him. Let that moment guide your days. Let His peace fill your life.
When we keep Christ first, everything else in this season becomes brighter. Christ gives meaning to every act of love, every gathering, and every song. He turns every ordinary moment into a path that leads to His Kingdom.
Let this fast help you remember that God alone is your Lord. Christ Alone is the One who saves. Keep your heart fixed on Him. When we do this, our celebration of His birth becomes real. When we say Christ is born, glorify Him, it comes from a heart filled with love.