The Coming Light

As Old Man Winter settles in and the days reach their quietest point, we arrive at Winter Solstice, a moment defined not only by darkness, but by the subtle return of light.

Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, shaped by the tilt of the earth as it moves through its orbit around the sun. From this day forward, the light begins to return, almost imperceptibly at first. This slow reawakening has been observed and honored for centuries, reminding us that even in deep stillness, change is already unfolding.

Throughout history, cultures across the world have gathered around this turning point. In Scandinavian traditions, Yule celebrates the rebirth of the sun, with firelight, evergreen branches, and shared meals offering warmth and reassurance during the darkest days. Ancient Roman Saturnalia brought joy, generosity, and communal celebration, while the Chinese Dongzhi Festival centered on family, nourishment, and balance as daylight gradually lengthened. Each tradition, in its own way, honored the same truth. The light is coming back.

Today, Winter Solstice continues to be a meaningful pause in the year. Candles glow a little brighter, fires are lit, and homes become places of warmth and gathering. It's a reminder that darkness is not something to fear or rush through, but a necessary space that allows the light to return renewed and strengthened.

On a more personal level, the solstice invites reflection and intention. It offers us a chance to notice what has been resting beneath the surface and to quietly prepare for what we want to grow. Just as the sun begins its slow climb, we can begin again too, with patience, care, and a renewed commitment to ourselves.

We see Winter Solstice as a happy promise. A reminder that the light does not disappear, it simply pauses, gathers, and returns. As the earth turns once more toward the sun, we are invited to honor both the darkness we have moved through and the light that is now finding its way back. This is a season of hope, renewal, and soft beginnings, carried forward one lengthening day at a time.