Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year.
The sun comes to warm us, but not for long, and we are submerged in a cloak of darkness for more hours than we are used to. As a child in Canada, it seemed the sun barely came up before it starting going down again during this time of the year.
Winter Solstice is also the longest night of the year.
The sun sets so early, the clock seems to be behind! I can't tell you how many times I've looked at the clock at this time of the year, and been surprised by what it says. "How is it only 6:30? I feel like it is 10pm!" has come out of my mouth more than once! The mornings, dark and cold, feel like the sun might be on vacation time...a little late for everything!
Winter Solstice might be a new name for 2020!
It seems like we have been in a long night for most of this year. A long night filled with stay at home orders, horrifying news stories, a long run to election day and beyond, and more stay at home orders. The Christmas poem says "we'd all settled down for a long winter's nap". For me, the restrictions that have come with life this year feels like we started that nap in March...and are still in it!
Long nights are tough.
We've all had them. We've endured 2020 together, but there are other types of long nights too. Some of us have had these types this year, too. The nights where we are:
- waiting for the phone to ring, hopefully with good news
- overwhelmed with regret for words left unsaid
- waiting for the doctor to come out of the surgery
- trying to figure out a "next step" when no options are good ones
- wishing for a reason to hope, when hope is lost
- sitting up with sick kids
- surviving the first 6 weeks with a newborn (Thinking of you, Lizzy and Joanna!)
Crazy, crazy tough!
But maybe there is something more to these long nights.
I dare say...
long nights can be beautiful.
As a kid, I looked forward to the long nights of winter, partially because I loved the snow. But also because I knew we'd have to drive when it was dark. I remember so many nights, I would look out of the back window of the car and be able to enjoy watching Northern Lights dance in the sky. It was mesmerizing!
This year, we have a treat during Winter Solstice as well. This year, Jupiter and Saturn will light our night sky on December 21st. Their orbits are aligning and they will appear as one large light in the sky that long night. It is the first time this has occurred for us to see since the year 1226 (that is NOT a typo!).
Perhaps there are blessings in those long nights that come to each of us.
Blessings like:
- the realization that we can rely on those around us
- an appreciation for the often overlooked little things that give joy.
- understanding that we are stronger than we thought
- strengthened relationships with those we love
From the way I see it, long nights allow us to see things that we are blind to when we are basking in the bright light of day.
During this Holiday season, filled with short days and sparkly nights, I hope you take time to see the blessings that are around you. I hope you rest in the understanding that long nights bring their own joy. And I pray that you remember the one thing that is true of every night...it will end.
Be blessed.
Find joy.
Have hope.
Kim
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