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While the modern world has fully embraced a period of feasting before the celebration of Christmas, many saints in the past would fast in preparation of Christ's birth.
St. Margaret of Scotland was no exception. According to the biography St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland, the royal saint led a deep life of prayer.
She was adopted a life of fasting, which may have been on the extreme side and harmed her health.
St. Margaret took upon herself such a fast before Christmas.
This 40-day fast is similar to what many other Christians have embraced over the centuries, making the season of Advent a season of fasting.
Today's celebration of Advent has become so mixed with Christmas that it is difficult to understand it as a season that was similar to Lent. Yet, this is how past Christians approached Advent, wanting to prepare their bodies and souls for the great feast of Christmas.
