The Nativity Fast always gives us a moment to reflect on how we as the Church are the Israel of the New Covenant. We go through this 40 day fast as the Israelites of the Old Covenant went through 40 years of wandering in the Desert, waiting for their venture into the Holy Land. We are escaping from the Egypt of the New Covenant which is sin and bondage to the Devil. The Israel of the Old Covenant escaped from slavery and bondage to Pharaoh. We are saved by the waters of baptism, they were saved by the waters of the Red Sea. We see the two Israels meet in our prayers for the season.
https://historyofnewengland.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-escape-from-egypt.html