Winter Solstice

 

So the shortest day came,

and the year died,

And everywhere down the centuries

of the snow-white world

Came people singing, dancing,

To drive the dark away.

They lighted candles in the winter trees;

They hung their homes with evergreen;

They burned beseeching fires all night long

To keep the year alive.

And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake

They shouted, reveling.

Through all the frosty ages you can hear them

Echoing, behind us - Listen!

All the long echoes sing the same delight,

This shortest day,

As promise weakens in the sleeping land:

They carol, feast, give thanks,

And dearly love their friends,

And hope for peace.

And so do we, here, now,

this year and every year.

Welcome Yule!

- Susan Cooper

Oh, Solstice Tree

 

It's hard to believe that it's the final month of 2024 already. For years now I have been much more connected to the Winter Solstice than I have been to Christmas but this year feels even more so. It's hard to get behind celebrating Christian holidays when so many awful things are being done or said by people who profess to be Christian. Even though the UCC is not at all like the more conservative end of the Christian fatith spectrum (we are, after all, lovingly refered to as the Unitarians Considering Christ), it's still hard to want to be associated at all given the current climate. I often feel like I should have been raised pagan (or secular pagan) or Unitarian even, as nature and the ryhtms of the year align so much more with my parents views/beliefs/what they hold dear. Regardless, I am grateful that Dave, the girls and I celebrate the rhythm of the seasons and find comfort in the natural world around us. It is so very fitting that our tree reflects that. This year, and likely the four to come, will be even more essential to finding peace, beauty, harmony and wonder in our little part of the world. xo

During the Festive Season

 

This year was easily the least I have ever blogged. Here is it, Decemebr 30th, and I have (including this post) blogged a total of 39 times. Before this year, the lowest number of posts in this space of ours was 127 (in 2022). This isn't to say that there have not been blog worthy events that would total in the hundreds, but it does speak to how full life is with two teenagers, a full time (paid) job, my full time unpaid job (as mama of those two amazing girls), as well as life as a wife and doctoral student. In early November I ended up resigning from my job as the Director of Children's Ministry at the church in Holliston, and we have fully returned to our church home/family in Framingham. That brought with it more downtime than I have had in a long while, though that will be short lived as I move into the proposal and disseration phase of my program starting in January. 

Our December was full of wonderful traditions. The Advent Spiral, Saint Nichoas Day, Winter Solstice (my most favorite Deemebr holiday!), cinnamon roll making (and delivering), and of, course, the Christmas Eve service. It was so lovely to be there, with a pew full of my church children, all of whom have grown into the most incredible young women and men. 

The bunnies have loved sitting by the tree as much as we do, and we are all so sure that they will be very sad when the tree comes down. Truly, is there anything more relaxing than sitting by the light of the tree before the sun comes up or after it goes down? 

It was quite a year for this family of ours. But more about that tomororw. Tonight is all about getting this blog updated so that we can go into 2024 and this next chapter, fresh and ready to go! xo 

Oh Christmas Tree...

 

and just like that it feels more like Solstice/Christmastime. xo 

On Winter Solstice

 

The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper

• And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
• And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
• Came people singing, dancing,
• To drive the dark away.
• They lighted candles in the winter trees;
• They hung their homes with evergreen;
• They burned beseeching fires all night long
• To keep the year alive.
• And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
• They shouted, reveling.
• Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
• Echoing behind us—listen!
• All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
• This Shortest Day,
• As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
• They carol, feast, give thanks,
• And dearly love their friends,
• And hope for peace.
• And now so do we, here, now,
• This year and every year.
• Welcome, Yule!

Winter Solstice Blessings

Deep peace of the Winter Solstice to you.
Deep peace of the falling snow to you.

Deep peace of the love of friends to you. 

Deep peace of the gentle deer to you. 

Deep peace of the moon and stars to you. 

-Author Unknown

{This Moment} 4:45pm Solstice Night

{This Moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same leave a link in the comments section for all to find and see. Wishing those who celebrate a very happy Hanukkah and a very merry Christmas this weekend. xo