As I write this, it’s the middle of Chanukah, the Winter Solstice (Yule) is upon us and Christmas is almost here. Of course, this has been a time of significant celebration in many spiritual traditions for centuries: there was the Rural Dionysia in classical Greece, the Saturnalia in Rome, the Feast of Fools during medieval Europe, a festival in honor of Isis in ancient Egypt and, of course, whatever went on at Stonehenge which is aligned with both the Summer Solstice sunrise AND the Winter Solstice sunset.
Clearly, there’s something about the winter solstice which has stirred strong feelings in humans for centuries. I suspect this has something to do with why so many spiritual traditions have (and have had) celebrations about this time of the year.
And, perhaps not surprisingly, many (most) of these various ceremonies and celebrations, in some fashion, honor the renewal of life. There is a certain logic about this, I suppose, the days start getting longer, there is a reawakened hope for warmer weather and the coming of the planting season, and there is a recognition that this year’s harvest is over. Yes, there may be, generally, even worse weather to come. Still, there is that hope…. The days ARE getting longer, “… the sun’ll come out tomorrow!”
I write this because I want to wish all of my readers my best wishes at this festive season of the year. The very fact that this season has been a part of so many religious traditions for so many centuries is just another reason for us to appreciate that the things which separate us are, actually, few and the things we humans have in common are many.
This is a thought to which I may return during the New Year, but, for the next couple of weeks, I’m going to focus on family and friends and the enjoyment of the season in my new home. I confess that I often think of my many friends from “long ago and far away,” and I wanted to take this opportunity to wish them the best of the season, no matter how they may choose to celebrate it. I hope that you have a chance to rest, relax and renew with family and friends.
I’ll be back next year….
Clearly, there’s something about the winter solstice which has stirred strong feelings in humans for centuries. I suspect this has something to do with why so many spiritual traditions have (and have had) celebrations about this time of the year.
And, perhaps not surprisingly, many (most) of these various ceremonies and celebrations, in some fashion, honor the renewal of life. There is a certain logic about this, I suppose, the days start getting longer, there is a reawakened hope for warmer weather and the coming of the planting season, and there is a recognition that this year’s harvest is over. Yes, there may be, generally, even worse weather to come. Still, there is that hope…. The days ARE getting longer, “… the sun’ll come out tomorrow!”
I write this because I want to wish all of my readers my best wishes at this festive season of the year. The very fact that this season has been a part of so many religious traditions for so many centuries is just another reason for us to appreciate that the things which separate us are, actually, few and the things we humans have in common are many.
This is a thought to which I may return during the New Year, but, for the next couple of weeks, I’m going to focus on family and friends and the enjoyment of the season in my new home. I confess that I often think of my many friends from “long ago and far away,” and I wanted to take this opportunity to wish them the best of the season, no matter how they may choose to celebrate it. I hope that you have a chance to rest, relax and renew with family and friends.
I’ll be back next year….
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