Good Morning and Blessings Everyone!
Today let's talk about yet another one of my favorite holidays, Winter Solstice, Yule. A solstice happens only twice a year, winter and spring. It is the time of year when the sun reaches it's highest point and can be seen from the north and south pole. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year while the Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year.
Winter Solstice, Midwinter's Night, or Yule is celebrated around December 21st or 22nd. The Solstice plays an important role in the years wheel of celebrations. It is a turning point that begins the shortest day of the year, the beginning of more sunlight, representing the rebirth of the Sun. In the Southern Hemisphere this is when summer begins.
Through out time people celebrate Winter Solstice with feasts fit for a King and gift giving among each other. In ancient times there were sacrifices made. Many people would bring wreaths made of evergreen into their homes and as decorations for their door. In today's society it marks the last month of the year. People bring trees into their homes to decorate and feast with family and friends. Of course gift giving is still welcomed :) Christians have adopted this time of the year for Christmas. A time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.In ancient times it was considered a time to celebrate the Birth of the Sun God.
I have many memories of this time of the year growing up as well as anyone. It was always a time to celebrate with family and friends, decorate the house inside and out, but always my parents reminded us that he meaning of the season was to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christians have chosen December 25th for Christmas Day. Once again centered around the ancient festival of Yule and the rebirth of the Sun. I didn't start to celebrate Yule until I was much older and started to to follow my own special path but still with my family I celebrate Christmas.
One of the strangest and yet understanding memories I have of Christmas is about Christmas Eve. My parents always made sure there were tons of presents under the tree from Santa every year. When we moved into our family home I was fourteen years old. Our first Christmas there we were enjoying a traditional Christmas Eve Dinner complete with seven fish dishes, and old tradition, family and friends. At the stroke of midnight, just as my father was about to place Jesus in the manager, since he would never allow us to do it any earlier, the lights went out in the entire house except for those on the Christmas tree. Now that alone wouldn't be weird after all it could have been on a separate breaker but that wasn't it. You see the television was also plugged into the same outlet and that went out every year until my mother passed away twenty years ago. We actually looked forward to it happening every year. It gave us the knowledge that those who have left us through out the year joined us for Christmas celebrations. I was rather disappointed when it stopped but I understood it with all that was going on in the family at the time. I believe it was their way of saying they weren't really happy with the change of venue that was now taking place. My mother was defiantly missed.
Today I celebrate Yule with my friends who do the same. We have dinner, enjoy the meaning of the day, and are thankful for all the wonderful people in our lives. With my family and still other friends I celebrate Christmas. Both with a tree, decorations to brighten the house and bring joy and light welcoming in the Sun and celebrating the birth of Christ and the rebirth of the Sun God. What an amazing time of the year!
Blessed Yule
By Toni Gamarro
Time to dance and to sing,
Looking forward to what the holiday will bring,
Candies and cookies freshly baked by Mom,
Joyful glee and Holiday calm,
Family and friends gathering together,
In Rain, snow, any kind of weather,
Feasting on a Christmas goose or ham,
Grandma makes your favorite candied yam,
Gifts set neatly under the tree,
Gosh will I get one, two, or three,
Of course that's not why we celebrate Yule
But it's fun to watch Dad sitting on a stool,
Passing out all the gifts beneath the tree,
Winking as he passes them to me,
And after all is said and done,
We have taken the time to thank everyone,
Take a moment to yourself and reflect,
Think about what this time will affect,
Think about what it means to you,
Of all the trials God has seen you through,
Yule is a blessed time of year,
It brings friends and family near,
Most importantly it celebrates rebirth,
And that is the cause of all the mirth,
So throw a kiss to the Sun,
Remember to thank everyone,
Enjoy the beauty this time of year will bring,
Remember to rejoice, dance, and sing!
To Be Continued........
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