Winter Solstice

Winter solstice is December 22^nd-ish. What is winter solstice? The short sweet version says it’s the shortest day of the year and the longest night. No other day is as dark as the winter solstice. For most of human history this event was worshiped by almost every culture. But most people on the planet know late December to be the time that Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth.  It’s possible, and most likely probable, that Jesus was not born on December 25^th.  We don’t really know exactly when Christ was born which is why it has been the subject of debate for hundreds of years. Some suggest that Christmas is simply a modified pagan holiday for the winter solstice.

Even if that is true, I do not think that taints or holds any less value of what this time represents. Although Winter solstice marks this day as the darkest, it is also marks the beginning of the light’s invasion on the night. As soon as the sun rises the next morning, the darkness loses its grip as the light grows each day forward.

It’s beautiful that we celebrate Christmas is so near the solstice; its a reminder that just as the days were some of the darkest on earth, that is when God chose to send the Light of the World… and ever since then, the night has been losing its grip on the day… this is true even now when it seems to us to be the darkest.

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” – John 8:12