In some Orthodox traditions, a special fasting dinner, composed of 12 dishes, is served tonight, eaten by candlelight when the first star appears in the sky. That meal is followed by the All-night Vigil. In some places, the Vigil is kept late at night, starting a short while before midnight, and is immediately followed by the Divine Liturgy, as on Pascha. All of these traditions speak to the joyful anticipation that precedes the coming feast. May we cultivate this same joyful anticipation in our lives every day of the year. After all, at the time of his first appearing, the Lord came in secret—very few knew to keep watch by night, for the Scriptures were as yet dark and obscure to them. But now we have all been told: “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done” (Rev. 22:12). Through the prayers of the magi and the shepherds, may we always keep our watch, keeping the lamp of faith lit with the oil of deeds, girding our loins to abstain from sin, awaiting the final appearing of our Joy, the “Joy of man’s desiring, / Holy Wisdom, Love most bright,” as the Western Christian hymn says.
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