Tonight is the Winter Solstice. This happens every year when the both of Earth’s poles orbit to the furthest points away from the Sun, resulting in the longest night of the year. This night is the peak of the season, preparing nature for the return of the sun as the length of daylight will increase a little more each day.
I have always thought of this night as a night for reflection. Reflection on the year, on one’s self, on the things learned, loved and even lost. It is a pause before fast flow of Christmas and launching into a new year. Solstice is a time when we meet the darkness, so that we can begin to face the light that is to come.
This Solstice I will be spending the evening with our church family at our Christmas service. We will worship together, light candles, and set our hearts on the gift of grace that came with the birth of Jesus. I will stand shoulder to shoulder with my children, my dear friends, and a community of people who have shown up for me and my family this past year in ways I didn’t even know were possible. We will stand, weather beaten from this year, with new lines around the corners of our eyes, a new softness in our voices, a prayer of gratitude in our hearts and on our lips. We will stand together to face the darkness of this year. We will give it the honor it earned by shaping us into softer, grace-filled, and more forgiving people. We will face the darkness of this year and we will thank God for it, then we will turn our eyes to the light that will come as we let this past year serve us.
What are you reflecting on tonight?