WINTER SOLSTICE
According to ALMANAC, the winter solstice of 2022 occurred on Wednesday, December 22, at 4:48 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. I didn’t realize that it only lasts for a moment! The ALMANAC states that “it’s the exact moment when a hemisphere is tilted as far away from the Sun as it can be. The day the winter solstice occurs also is the shortest period of daylight, and the longest night of the year.
Last night, as our family was watching a Christmas movie together, the phrase “the longest night” kept coming to my mind. I had intended to just sit and enjoy the movie, but the phrase wouldn’t leave me alone. So, of course, I picked up my computer and began to compose a poem. It was fun to look around, watch the movie and think about what we were all doing. Here is the result:
THE LONGEST NIGHT
The longest night of the year
Beginning of winter
Four days before Christmas
What are we doing?
Spending time with family
Here in the living room
A Christmas movie plays
What are we seeing?
A Muppet Christmas Carol
Humorous and thoughtful
Compassion conquers greed
What are we feeling?
I for one enjoy this time
Five of us together now
Enjoying every scene
What are we thinking?
One drawing and one writing
All watch with their own thoughts
As we see Scrooge changing
What are we to learn?
The longest night of the year
Beginning of winter
Four days before Christmas
What a pleasant time!
I hope you enjoyed my little reflection of our family time last night. Does the poem stir up any thoughts in your mind? Are there things that your family likes to do together on a long, cold, dark night? I’d love for you to comment and let me know.
WINTER SOLSTICE A REMINDER
The solstice is just another reminder that our world is not just spinning in space. It was created by a great Creator who didn’t just create it and leave it. It is an ordered universe with everything in place as it should be. God upholds and sustains the earth and everything in it.
He is the image of the invisible God,
Colossians 1:15-1
the firstborn over all creation.
For everything was created by him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and by him all things hold together.
This Christmastime, as we think of the birth of Jesus, we remember that He is God in flesh, who came down to redeem us, for there was no other way. His resurrection guaranteed the sure hope we have of future resurrection and joy and peace in Him even now.
Merry Christmas!
Gayl, I love your poem. Sounds like myself, finding words in the midst of doings. It was sure brrrrr today and I hope you all are keeping warm!
Thank you so much, Meg! It’s fun to “find words in the midst of doings.” We, too, are experiencing some severe cold weather, unusual for SC. Nice to have you “visit” here. Blessings and love! xo