LET THERE BE LIGHT

Is it coincidence that two religious holidays, Chanukah and Christmas occur around the time of the Winter Solstice? That is a question to be asked, (not to be answered here), but certainly we can say that those celebrations and the Winter Solstice involve Light and what Light represents to us as human beings. Winter Solstice this year will occur at 4:47 p.m. EST on December 21st, marking the moment of turning in the rhythm of nature from the shortest, darkest day of the year to earlier sunrises and later sunsets--more light each day—even through the coldest months of year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Light is Life

Light is universally symbolic of the spirit of life in all of us.

This little light of mine

I’m gonna let it shine*

Gods, angels and saints are portrayed as having halos or light surrounding them to represent divinity, holiness, purity, goodness. Light suggests transparency, clarity and truth. We think of family and friends, and especially children, as well as joyful experiences, as “lighting up our lives.” Ideas and revelations are thought of as enlightenment or illumination. The sparkling stars, silver moon and brilliant planets above are a mystery and a wonder—shining in the dark velvet sky.

Light is warm and welcoming, guiding us through the dark. We make wishes over our birthday candles; we light candles in rooms to create a mood, or light the fireplace to warm us. Whole cities are lit up for the sheer beauty and magic of it.

 

 Paris, City of Light

Light is often an integral part of religious traditions, rituals and services, such as the lighting of the menorah during the nights of Chanukah, the festival of lights, commemorating a long ago miracle celebrated around the time of the Winter Solstice. During this time of year  a  homes and shop windows are illuminated with twinkling lights. In town squares, people gather for festive tree lightings and song-all gathered with "light-hearts." Some light an Advent candle each week in December awaiting Christmas morning.

Candle, candle, burning bright

Shining in the cold winter night

Candle, Candle burning bright

   Fill our hearts with Christmas light**

Tree Lighting at Dock Square, Rockport, MA

And who has not marveled in awe at the luminous skies and ribbons of colors at sunset and sunrise.

Whether or not we think of Light as symbolic, or participate in light-filled celebrations,  Winter Solstice is an astronomical phenomenon in which there is a turning from the darkest day of the year toward growing light.

Solstices and Equinoxes

While some people may be more aware of what happens astronomically four times each year, based on our planet's orbit around the Sun and tilt on its axis, others may be aware only of the change of seasons they usher in for the Northern Hemisphere.

• Vernal equinox (about March 21): day and night of equal length, marking the start of spring
• Summer solstice (June 20 or 21): longest day of the year, marking the start of summer
• Autumnal equinox (about September 23): day and night of equal length, marking the start of autumn
• Winter solstice (December 21 or 22): shortest, darkest day of the year, marking the start of winter

Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.

The Winter and Summer Solstices mark when the Sun’s path in the sky is the farthest north or south from the Equator. Winter Solstice occurs when the Sun appears at it lowest elevation in the sky. whereas at Summer Solstice it appears at its highest arc. Equinoxes occur when day and night are of equal lengths.The halfway points between Solstices and Equinoxes are called cross-quarter days, observed on Candlemas or Groundhog Day, May Day, All Souls' Day or Halloween. All of these occurrences have both religious/spiritual associations and observances, and astronomical significance as the natural rhythms in our planetary system.

For millennia, these (and other) “heavenly” events have been honored and celebrated as momentous observations of natural and supernatural significance, having inspired cultural traditions, rituals, fire festivals, superstitions, story, song, dance, artwork and more. Megalithic structures, such as Stonehenge (and many others around the world) were certainly built in part to align with these astronomical events, which were also gauges for practical activities to sustain life ways, such as animal breeding, hunting, planting and harvesting crops.

Stonehenge at Winter Solstice

No matter what our relationship with Light, conscious or subconscious, we live in and by the light, long for the warmth, hope and comfort it brings to eclipse the darkness in our lives—inner and outer.

Wishing everyone the love and light of this time of year—however you may celebrate it or not—and peace, joy and good will with the coming of the light.

* https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/this-little-light-of-mine/
**Advent Song© 1975 Mary Lu Walker