Day 39 · The Nativity Fast
In the Fullness of Time
“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children.”Galatians 4:4-5
Reflection
St Paul sums up the whole story in one sentence: when the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem us and make us his adopted children. Every prophecy we have read these forty days was leading here. Tomorrow is the Eve of the Nativity. Many Orthodox Christians keep a stricter fast on the Eve, as their parish directs, and gather for the Royal Hours and Vespers. If you can, plan now to be in church. The canon of the feast opens with the words of today's prayer, given here from Isabel Hapgood's Service Book (1906), lightly modernized.
A prayer
Christ is born: extol him! Christ from heaven: go to meet him! Christ on earth: be lifted up! Sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth, and praise him in song with joy, O you people: for he has glorified himself. Lord, make me ready for your coming. Amen.
Carry this with you
How will you keep the Eve tomorrow: with fasting, with the services, with quiet?