Stahlke Adoption

Christmas Eve, Part IV

Many people in the western church fast during Lent, but the Ukrainians restrict their foods during Advent, as well. The fast ends on Christmas Day, so the traditional Christmas Eve dinner abides by the Advent dietary restrictions.

That means that no meat, eggs, or milk are allowed in the dinner. The ban on milk means that butter and cheese are also forbidden. Fish, however, features prominently in the Christmas Eve dinner, for it is not meat.

In addition, the fish is a symbol for Christ, who described himself and his disciples as "fishers of people." The letters of the Greek word for "fish" (ichthus ) are an acrostic for the words "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior." The early Christians used the symbol of the fish, two intersecting half- circles, as a secret way to identify fellow believers during times of persecution. For images of the ichthus and more information about it, see:

http://www.plymouth-church.com/ichthus.html

posted by Stahlkes @ 10:38 AM