Solstice Holidays

From time out of mind, 
long before recorded history, 

people facing the long cold nights of deepest winter have sheltered together around the warmth and light of fires. 

They gathered for companionship, for safety from the elements, and for a sense of belonging.  

In one another’s company, they sought reassurance that the cold and darkness would not go on forever; that days would lengthen again, and warmth would return.  

But, they also sought understanding.  Over time, the wisest learned to predict the seasonal patterns, and many began to use these solstice gatherings to share their ideas.  

We don't know what stories were first shared in these gatherings – the words having been lost to time, translation, and the vagaries of oral tradition.  But the shared warmth, light, food and drink, and the promise of brighter, warmer days to come, must have lifted spirits, and given hope.  

With time, the stories—embellished year upon year—became foundational to their mythologies.    

The Greeks were not the first to fit mythology to this occasion, but their stories endure, reflecting many of the same hopeful aspirations shared by all.  They explain the leafless trees, and the bare soil, with the story of Hades stealing away with Persephone, to be his queen in the underworld.  Her mother, Demeter, the goddess of fertility, in her heartbreak and grief, had turned away from her duties to the world, turning it dark and cold.  But with Zeus's intervention, an agreement  was reached; Hades may keep Persephone for part of the year, but each spring, he must return her to her Mother, who annually rejoices with the spring, returning warmth and fertility to the Earth.  

Whether the people hearing these stories took them literally, or as hopeful metaphors, we don't know.  But, as they anticipated the renewal of life in the coming spring, these stories must have nourished hope.  

The Romans borrowed this optimistic myth, and used the occasion—as they did with so much Greek mythology—to create a holiday of feasting, drinking, and the exchanging of gifts, in honor of their god, Saturn.

Later, when the Roman Empire adopted Christianity, it made sense to adopt a holiday that was already on their calendar to celebrate Christ's birthday – so Saturnalia was borrowed to create the timing to celebrate Christmas.   

Whether you gather in this season for shelter, light, and warmth against deepest winter; to rejoice in anticipation of longer days to come; to eat, drink, and make merry; or to express reverence for a God who would send his only son to redeem the World – I celebrate alongside you.   

To all humans of good will, I wish Happy Yule. Happy Hanukkah, Happy Solstice, Celebrations of Light, Merry Christmas, and whatever cheers you this season!