Winter Solstice
Dear Pali Pres,
As you may already know, tomorrow is the winter solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere, when the northern part of the Earth reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun. As a result, it is the day we have the least amount of light. In other words, tomorrow will be the shortest day and longest night of the year! Here in LA, our day will only be nine hours and fifty-three minutes long (and four seconds, to be exact).
Also known as the “hibernal solstice,” the winter solstice has been important to countless cultures around the world for thousands of years, influencing everything from calendars to communal rituals to holidays. Some churches even hold a “Longest Night” worship service to name and acknowledge the darkness we each experience in life, but also to affirm our hope in the coming Christ Child, the Light of the World.
In my internet browsing this week, I came across a reflection on the winter solstice by author Brigit Anna McNeill. It really made me think and look inward. I share it here in my blog in the hopes that it will do the same for you as we approach the longest night of the year.
“The winter solstice time is no longer celebrated as it once was, with the understanding that this is a period of descent and rest, of going within our homes, within ourselves and taking in all that we have been through, all that has passed in this full year which is coming to a close… like nature and the animal kingdom around us, this time of hibernation is so necessary for our tired limbs, our burdened minds.
Our modern culture teaches avoidance at a max at this time; alcohol, lights, shopping, overworking, over spending, comfort food and consumerism…And yet the natural tug to go inwards as nearly all creatures are doing is strong and the weather so bitter that people are left feeling that winter is hard, because for those of us without burning fires and big festive families, it can be lonely and isolating. Whereas in actual fact winter is kind, she points us in her quiet soft way towards our inner self, towards this annual time of peace and reflection…
Winter takes away the distractions, the buzz, and presents us with the perfect time to rest and withdraw into a womb like love, bringing fire & light to our hearth…And then, just around the corner the new year will begin again, and like a seed planted deep in the earth, we will all rise with renewed energy once again to dance in the sunlight.”
Grace and peace,
Pastor Matt
