Yesterday, December 22nd, was the winter solstice in the Northern Hemishpere--the shortest day of the year, or the Longest Night, depending on your perspective. That means, starting today each day gets a bit longer until the summer solstice in June. What a delightful fact that the lengthening of the days corresponds to the first day of winter! Several days of heavy frosts and thick fog have ushered in the changing of this season, with occasional clear nights studded with stars celebrated by the hoot owl that lives in the forest by the creek. Some mornings Mark and I walk in the dark, our way lit by the moon and eventually by the hinting of daylight to come. On one recent walk the hoot owl had not yet settled down from her night's activities, so we heard her low resonant call as we made our way up Williamson Road, past other, mostly slumbering, creatures.
Every season holds reminders of the wonder of how Life cycles through the year. This season of earth-rest reminds me of the gift of sleep, a break from school and farm work, and a celebration of a different sort. That Christmas is situated at the beginning of winter recalls every year the Christian belief that because of God's tender mercy, the light of Christ came to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace (Luke 1:78-79). With the economic, political and social challenges of this day, I cling to that hope, and the simple gifts of seasonal changes that remind me of the faithful presence of God throughout time and space.