Light of the Winter Solstice

    December 21^st is the Winter Solstice, the day that marks longest night of the year, but that also signals the beginning of lengthening days.  For thousand of years, cultures throughout the world have celebrated this day.  In ancient times, the short days of winter were difficult, so the promise of spring, the time of rebirth, was very important.  Solstice rites were held by virtually every culture---in Persia, India, Britain, China, Scandinavia, Africa, and the Americas.
      Light is the common theme in these celebrations.  In Iran, huge bonfires, were kindled at sunset to mark the festival of Sada.  Native Americans held rituals to insure victory of light over darkness.  The Vikings held Yule celebrations to mark the solstice.  The word Yule means “wheel,” so Yuletide celebrated the continuity of the cycles of nature.  The burning of the Yule log was thought to add light and strength to the waning sun.  Evergreens, the symbol of life even in the midst of darkness, have long been associated with midwinter celebrations.  Today’s modern wreaths were conceived when wheels, ineffective in the winter snow, were brought indoors and decorated with evergreen branches and candles.

          The lighting of candles has become a sacred ritual woven into many spiritual traditions.  In the Jewish tradition, Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, utilizes a menorah to celebrate a miracle when one night’s worth of oil lit candles for eight days.  A Kinara of seven candles is part of the African-American Kwanza celebration.  Symbolizing the light of Christ, candles are lit during Advent, the time of preparation and prayer leading to Christmas.

Today we can remember the timeless essence of the solstice—to kindle the divine light that dwells inside each soul so that light shines forth in joy, compassion, and love, illuminating the oneness and bringing true peace throughout the world.