No one really knows when humans became aware of the changing seasons. It was probably early on. Plants grew and fruited at a certain time. Animals migrated at a certain time. The weather changed at certain times. In many ancient civilizations the solstice and equinox were times for celebration.
On Winter Solstice we celebrate the shortest day of the year with the least amount of sunlight. From here the days get longer until we get to Summer Solstice in June, the longest day of the year. In many ancient cultures Winter Solstice was celebrated as New Years as the days lengthened. The celebrations differed depending on when and where you are.
Our modern celebrations include Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanza and New Years. BUT some of us still like to keep the old traditions. It’s a nice way to start the Holiday Season.
Here on the Eastern Shore today(Thursday 12/22/11) is Winter Solstice,and Winter officially begins at 10:30 am EST. Amazingly the weather prediction is for cloudy and near 70F.
So take a minute today to stop, look up, and say thanks to your Creator for the year gone by and hope for a better year to come.
6 comments:
I'm all for the days getting longer again. I'm tired of it being dark all the time. Bring on the sun! :-)
I'm also looking forward to longer days. I never thought of the Winter Solstice as New Years, but it is in a way. This weather makes it feel more like the first day of spring.
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
enjoy your short day today, i said to hubby at 7:15 why is it so dark? now i know Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you and yours and have a blessed safe New Year.
YEY!! spring is right around the corner... got to get the ground ready..
The days now begin, ever so slowly, to lengthen.
Yes finally it turns toward longer days :-) Today the sun got up at 8:51 and went down at 3:16 here where I live. It's just to little daylight now.
Have a great day!
Christer.
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