A seasonal reminder that darkness is followed by light
By Alonzo Weston
This Saturday, Dec. 21, will be the longest night of the year. Astronomically it is the winter solstice when, thanks to the Earth’s tilted axis, half of the planet is pointed away from the sun and the other half is towards it.
This Saturday, stand outside at noon and look at your shadow. It will be the longest shadow you’ll cast all year. Likewise, do this during the summer solstice and you’ll likely see almost no shadow.
After Saturday the days will get incrementally longer, culminating in the summer solstice on June 20.
December is more than just celebrating Christmas. There’s Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, Boxing Day in Canada and Kwanzaa, an African-American celebration, to name a few.
The month also has its folklore and traditions. For example, on Dec. 31 kiss the person you hope to keep kissing the next year.
Old folks’ wisdom says thunder in December means a mild winter, and frost on the 21st will mean a bad season.
An old saying goes: “Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat. Please put a penny in the old man’s hat. If you haven’t got a penny, a half penny will do. If you haven’t got a half penny, God bless you.”
Christmas is becoming more and more about commercialism. People are rushing around buying more things for themselves and others a month after giving thanks for what they already have.
We are days away from the beginning of a new year with parties and making resolutions. After that, the dead of winter sets in with long, dark, cold nights and snowy roads. It’s a time for reading, relaxing and retrospection as well.
On Dec. 25, we Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus even though the actual date is unknown. That has been recognized as the day since the fourth century. Dec. 25 was selected for Christ’s birth most likely because of its proximity to the winter solstice. Other days have as been suggested through history, including dates in spring and fall.
For sports fans, the outlook isn’t quite as gloomy. College and pro football playoffs are underway. Hockey and basketball seasons are in full swing as well.
I find peace in the fact that daylight is coming back more and more each day. Spring and summer get closer after this Saturday.
So enjoy your Christmas and don’t forget that Jesus is the reason for the season, not the nearest big-box store or online shopping specials.
Shop St. Joseph and enjoy celebrations and traditions here in town and nearby cities like Weston, Leavenworth and Atchison. Take advantage of the special things in our area happening at this time of year. Do you really want to wish away your life so fast in anticipation of New Year’s? No.
Merry Christmas to all and don’t forget to set an extra plate at the Christmas dinner table for those deceased relatives who can’t make it this year. Enjoy your holiday and all the blessings that come along with it.
