Celebrating the Solstice.

I used to think Solstice celebrations were a bit too hippy dippy for me.
I couldn't get into it.

"I'm happy to stick with Christmas, thanks".

But, as our children have gotten older and started to ask the question "why?", I've been forced to consider why it is we celebrate Christmas with such joy and enthusiasm.

I was raised Roman Catholic. Holiday memories are filled with midnight masses and nativity plays.
We still happily tell our children the story of Christmas and sing carols because it's tradition. It feels comfortable and right. And yet, the Christmas we celebrate in our house is, for the most part, not the Christmas that is celebrated in church.

We are religious drop outs.
Holiday heathens.
And so, I have begun to embrace the spirit of the winter solstice.

As I learn more about the solstice and the history that entwines the two holidays I've realized that for me, the true joys of the holiday season are, in fact, the pagan aspects of the holiday.

Winter Solstice celebrating is a conjuring of light.
On the darkest days of the year we light candles and string lights to remind us that the light will return.
We warm our homes with fire and the hot oven, busily turning out celebratory food, to remind us that the warmth will return.

Historically, gifts were given as an offering to the gods of agriculture and plenty.
The rich were encouraged to give gifts to the poor at a difficult time of year.
And we continue to give gifts, as an offering of peace and love and humanity.

Trees (or boughs) were traditionally brought into the home as a sign of spring and new life.
And so we cut down trees and string lights and hang ornaments, to remind us that the earth will renew itself once again.

Tonight we filled our home with family and friends.

We drank and played games and celebrated as so many have done for thousands of years before us.

We lit candles in our home and on our porch, we wrapped gifts, we ate and we gathered around the fire with those we love to celebrate the solstice: the conjuring of light, the acknowledgment of the coming season and a reminder that we are alive and well, together for another year, with the promise of all that is to come.

Welcome Winter! We're Ready for You!