Lord of the Solstice.




The fireworks surprised us.  The noise drew us outside to see the explosion of light over our city, brightening this winter night.  I was disoriented.  My mind was searching through the times of year when fireworks are expected, whilst remembering it was nearly Christmas, and failing to reconcile the two.  Further research revealed this was the Winter Firedance festival, organised by the City Council to celebrate the Winter Solstice.  Of course, it was 21 December.  The shortest day of the year.  The longest night of the year.  No better time for fireworks to brighten the midwinter mood.  

The darkness was to be resisted.  

Or maybe there is some grace we might receive from this dark day?


Over the past year I have become more conscious of how this day was celebrated long ago.  Over seven thousand years ago the first farmers here saw this day as a major turning point in their year. It marked the beginning of longer days and a new cycle of growth, and the hope of food and feasting.  Today there are a growing number of people who are returning to this ancient wisdom and these old rhythms.  They are searching for a simpler life, closer to the land, much needed as we are connected to new technologies and swept along at high speed.  Some have found a friend in the old Celtic calendar which portions the year into eight and marks the transitions of the seasons.  


As Patrick brought the message of Jesus to Ireland a Celtic Christianity developed in which nature was regarded as a sacred text where God left messages to show who He was. 


So, what might solstice be saying to us?  A time which could be depended upon every year and which you could orientate life to.  The consistent beginning of a new year and cycle of growth.  This established pattern is formed by the hand of a Creator and Lord who is faithful.  Who has lovingly ordered this world in a way that sustains life.  God is true to His word, that, 


‘As long as the earth endures, 

seedtime and harvest, 

cold and heat, 

summer and winter, 

day and night will never cease.’ 

Genesis 8.22 


If we glimpse this God in the solstice, then we can see the same God more brightly in the coming of his Son.  Loving and true to His word, or as John introduces Jesus, full of grace and truth (John 1.17).  In the provision of His Son, freely given to us (John 3.16), we see this love, in His fulfilling of ancient prophecy we see that God is true to His word, as “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9.2)  As John’s gospel unfolds we will see even more vividly in the person of Jesus, God is full of love and true to His word.  


So, as we find ourselves in the middle of this bleak winter and even through the sorrows that lie beneath the joys of Christmas, let the solstice speak to you, receive its wisdom and follow the way to the Son.  Know that you can trust your life to the hands of the One whose rule is loving and who can be trusted completely.  


Lord of the solstice, 

Of world’s turning seasons, 

We praise you that you have 

Turned our night to day 

In the provision and person of your Son

In the busyness of Christmas 

And the bleakness of winter 

We trust your loving faithfulness 

Over our lives. Amen.




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