Today we look at how Christ challenges the people of His time when they cared more about rules than the God who gave the rules. The leaders became angry that He healed on the Sabbath because they forgot why the Sabbath existed. Christ reminds them that the law is a tool that leads us to God, not something we worship in place of Him. His healing shows that mercy and love always come first.

As we enter the Nativity Fast, we face the same temptation. The season around us is full of noise, sweets, parties, and comfort. None of these things are bad, but they can distract us from Christ. The fast is here to help us turn our hearts back to Him. It helps us slow down, pray more, and remember the reason for this season.

We follow the fast not because the rules are our god, but because Christ is our God. So even if we stumble, even if we break the fast during a family event, the point is to keep our mind on Christ. Every day of this fast is a chance to remember that Christ comes first. When we reach Christmas and say Christ is born, glorify Him, it will mean something real in our hearts.