Advent, the Winter Solstice, & Christmas

 

O.R Gillespie 

Lots of us are rejoicing at arrival of the Winter Solstice at 4:47 this afternoon. It's been a dreary month of December in these parts and this reality along with the waning daylight hours has put me in hiberation mode, even though we make every effort to ramble around outside. We did set out this morning for Prince Edward County and on our trip we listened to the first two episodes of the BBC World Service adaptation of The Dark is Rising, an acclaimed fantasy story for older children by Susan Cooper. It is wonderfully done and the two geezers listening were captivated. The novel is almost 50 years old now and the mysterious tale commences at the Winter Solstice. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xtvp7

It's remarkable that crowds vie for the opportunity to witness the Solstice at New Grange in Ireland and Stonehenge in Britain. There is a scientific explanation for what transpires but through the ages have been drawn to the spiritual portent as well. 

Christianity has done some borrowing through the centuries with our celebration of Christmas attached to Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival of light with lots of candles which led to the solstice, followed by the "Birthday of the Unconquerable Sun" on December 25th. Does the date seem familiar? 

Design: Jocelyn Mundy

In days of yore when we lived in Sudbury we attended Solstice gatherings at the home of a family in the congregation, which inspired our own years later in Bowmanville. It only happened because of Ruth's efforts because, well, the season tends to be busy for clergy. We wanted to celebrate the turning of the seasonal tide toward light in the midst of darkness, even as we observed Advent and  prepared for Christian Christmas. 

The piece of art, above, is a reproduction rather than an original print or painting but it captures a sense of wintry days and nights when we lived in outport Newfoundland. Winter darkness was almost palpable there. This one is in our bedroom along with several other pieces which evoke time in various communities in which I've served.

Today we walked at Lodge Point in Sandbanks Provincial Park. We were alone for most of our exploration and we enjoyed the solitude -- solace on the solstice? We could hear the rumble of waves from both sides of the point, a raft of long-tailed ducks bobbed in the surf, and the snow was marked by deer tracks. Eventually the clouds dissipated to offer a blissfully sunny day and we thanked the Creator. 

Please note that I've posted this Groundling blog entry within minutes of the official occurrence of the Solstice. As Advent draws to a close, and we edge closer to the blessing of Christ's birth, a happy Winter Solstice to you all. 

                                           Lodge Point, Prince Edward County -- Photo: Ruth Mundy