As the winter solstice approaches, marking the longest night of the year, I invite you to join us for a unique pre-solstice service. This event, held in person at 7 pm on Wednesday, December 20th, is more than just a gathering; it's a celebration of light, hope, and renewal.
The Roots of Our Celebrations
The lavish festivities we associate with Christmas find their origins not in biblical teachings but in the deep-rooted traditions of the Winter Solstice. Long before the establishment of Christmas, these customs formed an integral part of a celebration that focused on the return of light during the darkest time of the year.
Our service is more than a nod to these ancient practices; it's a reminder that true change requires a shift deeper than mere outward appearances. Like the Winter Solstice, our celebration is a time to reflect, to let go of the old, and to welcome the new with open hearts and minds.
A Ceremony of Release and Renewal
We will gather around a community tree, engaging in call-and-response prayers, to honor this time of stillness before the solstice. This ceremony is about releasing the past and planting seeds for the future - seeds of hope, love, and light.
In our modern world, where technology often disconnects us from the life’s natural rhythms, this service is a chance to reconnect. We'll remember the significance of the Winter Solstice, a time when our ancestors eagerly awaited the sun's return, and celebrate the certainty that light always returns after darkness.
Join Us in This Sacred Moment
This service is an invitation to pause in the sacred stillness, to embrace the quiet before the return of the light. It's a chance to experience the shift from darkness to light, symbolizing our own personal journeys from uncertainty to clarity, from fear to love.
Regardless of our diverse backgrounds or beliefs, this time of year calls us to acknowledge and celebrate the light within us all. It's a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is a promise of a new dawn, a new beginning.
Your Presence is a Gift - We welcome you to be part of this unique and meaningful experience. Your presence will add to the warmth and light of our community as we usher in the solstice together. Let's gather to honor the past, celebrate the present, and welcome the future with open hearts.
Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash
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