WINTER SOLSTICE 2023

Orig. 12/15/18  Rev. 12/18/23

This year’s winter solstice occurs on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 at 10:27 p.m. Eastern time, 3:27 UTC. according to the Almanac. The Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice always falls on December 21 or 22.  The sun will reach its southernmost point before starting back on its northward trek toward Spring. That’s for all of us in the northern hemisphere.  You can calculate your own time accordingly. It has more to do with the tilt of the earth on its axis and its elliptical orbit, and we will leave that to the astronomers.

I am one who watches the sun regularly rise and set, notice where it is on the horizon, and give thanks. Winter Solstice is the start of astronomical winter, but meteorological winter begins three weeks earlier on Dec. 1. Meteorologists label winter as December through the end of February – the three coldest months of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. For our friends south of the equator it’s the opposite and it’s Summertime.

Winter Solstice only lasts a moment in time, and some of the other terms for the day on which this occurs, are “midwinter”, “the longest night” or “the shortest day”.  It is not the shortest day or longest night.  It refers to the amount of light within a 24-hour period.  And, it should not be confused with “the first day of winter” especially here in the highlands of central Mexico where we have lived since the Summer Solstice last June.  Our “winter weather” is the envy of many people farther north and some snowbirds make the trek south for warmer days.

The anticipated arrival of the Light, whether Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas or Diwali, these are holidays, i.e. holy days. Holy means “set apart.”  Here we are, in this season once more to help us celebrate, to find ways to spread tidings of comfort and joy. For many it’s about the Spirit of giving and gratitude; for others, a quiet time to reflect on the year past and the one ahead; for some, it’s about Peace on Earth. For our families, from the time we were children and now watching our children and theirs, it is Christmas.  And “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.”  If you haven’t read or shared this, please consider: (https://www.nysun.com/editorials/yes-virginia/68502/)

What winter solstice signals for me is the return of the light as the days start getting longer or rather there is a bit more daylight each day, just as it has been decreasing slowly each day since last summer’s Solstice. This celebration of light is recognized and honored by many religious groups.  From the Roman Saturnalia to the Indian Pancha Ganapati to Hanukkah and Christmas, to the Persian Yalda and the birth of Mithra, and the recent creation of Kwanzaa in 1966, all kinds of cultures have found ways to pay special attention to our source of life and follow the sun.

You may celebrate this season joyfully with family and friends, give gifts and light candles or fires; you might take a walk in the woods or ski down a mountain or through a forest; you might read or pray or sing; many of us will eat and drink around a family or community table. Whatever you do, take some time to do something special that is worth remembering. Stop whatever you’re doing for just a moment in time, for that is what solstice is, a moment in time.  Mark it in your journal or on your calendar with your special thought and experience and share it with your family and friends.  At least, be open to receiving the blessings and gifts of the season and celebrate with gratitude and grace.

Pax Vobiscum!