The Nativity Fast
Rev. Fr. Frank Paul Mayernick, November 2008

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Nativity Fast (Advent or "Winter Lent") which is the 40 days preceding the Nativity of Christ (Christmas), beginning on November 15 and runs through December 24. This fast becomes more severe after December 20, and Christmas Eve is observed a strict fast day.

In our society the month of November also calls attention to the Pilgrims, who celebrated the first thanksgiving in America. They were fleeing religious persecution in their native land. So they decided to leave Holland and travel to the New World. Their trip was financed by a group of English investors, the Merchant Adventurers. It was agreed that the Pilgrims would be given passage and supplies in exchange for their working for their backers for 7 years.

The Pilgrims had much to celebrate; they had built homes in the wilderness. They had raised enough crops to keep them alive during the long coming winter. They were at peace with their Indian neighbors. They had beaten the odds and it was time to celebrate. The Pilgrim Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving to be shared by all the colonists and the neighboring Native Americans. Thus was born the American tradition of sharing a meal with family and friends.

Thanksgiving meals are traditionally family events where certain kinds of food are served. First and foremost, turkey is the featured item in most Thanksgiving feasts (so much so that Thanksgiving is sometimes called, ("Turkey Day"). Stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, corn, turnips, yams and pies pumpkin and apple are a part of the menu.

The Pilgrims faced hard and difficult times. But they persevered and forged the development of the earliest American traditions. The tradition of pausing and giving thanks to God is as American as apple and pumpkin pie. We give thanks to God for every gift comes from Him. We are truly thankful for all His bountiful Blessings.

From my home to yours God’s Rich Blessings!
Rev Father F.P.Mayernick and Presbytera Joanie