And so once again we reach that day of the year which for me holds greater significance than any Christmas Day, New Year's Day, or Birthday. It is December 21, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere; followed by the longest night, with the Winter Solstice being reached in the early hours of December 22. The change in daylight is caused by the Earth's angle of tilt to the Sun, (some 23.5°), in relation to its position in orbit. Yet for me, this date always seems strangely symbolic of the seemingly endless struggle between light and dark. For six months, the light in the Northern Hemisphere has fallen back, as onward surged the triumphant darkness; but tonight, as if in a great battle like a Gettysburg, or a Stalingrad, the tide of this struggle will turn, the advance of the darkness will be halted, and the light will at last begin to return. As the Solstice passes, we can start to look forward again; to the rebirth of Spring, to those long Summer nights in the garden, or better still on the beach.
This date also held great significance for the followers of ancient customs like paganism, for whom the Sun and the seasons were particularly revered. These festivals were of course, incorporated into what has now become Christmas, when we followers of Jesus will celebrate His birth. However, some historians suggest that Jesus was actually born in early to mid April, others place His birth later; but almost all agree it was not 'in the bleak midwinter'; and our Christmas decorations are drawn from various sources including the Roman festival of Saturnalia.
It was perhaps from my late Father that I inherited my dislike of these long, dark nights and English Winters. Dad always said if he became a rich man, (he didn't), he would live in England from April through September; and in Australia from October through March! Sounds good to me, and for Dad, who loved his Summer days and Cricket, it would have been a kind of Shangri La...
However, it was also on this date, eight years ago, that this darkest of days became even darker in our family story when my Father-In-Law, Denis, one of the finest Gentlemen I ever knew, made his final journey to the Promised Land. He is loved and missed today, and every day, by all who knew him and were touched by his life; and for the rest of my life, in addition to it's place in the solar calendar, this date will always be tinged by the sadness of his loss.
Requiescat In Pace, Dad...
In conclusion, I just want to say that whatever December 21 means for you, I would like to wish you and your loved ones well in it. May this day remind you that even in your darkest moments, there are brighter times ahead; and I pray that your world will be filled with light, both literally and figuratively, in the months to come...
"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."
Desmond Tutu.
This date also held great significance for the followers of ancient customs like paganism, for whom the Sun and the seasons were particularly revered. These festivals were of course, incorporated into what has now become Christmas, when we followers of Jesus will celebrate His birth. However, some historians suggest that Jesus was actually born in early to mid April, others place His birth later; but almost all agree it was not 'in the bleak midwinter'; and our Christmas decorations are drawn from various sources including the Roman festival of Saturnalia.
It was perhaps from my late Father that I inherited my dislike of these long, dark nights and English Winters. Dad always said if he became a rich man, (he didn't), he would live in England from April through September; and in Australia from October through March! Sounds good to me, and for Dad, who loved his Summer days and Cricket, it would have been a kind of Shangri La...
However, it was also on this date, eight years ago, that this darkest of days became even darker in our family story when my Father-In-Law, Denis, one of the finest Gentlemen I ever knew, made his final journey to the Promised Land. He is loved and missed today, and every day, by all who knew him and were touched by his life; and for the rest of my life, in addition to it's place in the solar calendar, this date will always be tinged by the sadness of his loss.
Requiescat In Pace, Dad...
In conclusion, I just want to say that whatever December 21 means for you, I would like to wish you and your loved ones well in it. May this day remind you that even in your darkest moments, there are brighter times ahead; and I pray that your world will be filled with light, both literally and figuratively, in the months to come...
"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."
Desmond Tutu.
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