The ever shortening days...

Sunset from Crafton at 4:45pm

The Winter Solstice is nearly here, and you really can't miss it.  It's hard to get out of bed in the morning because it is still dark, and it hardly seems like it could possibly be a time to get up.    And then it's dark at night when you leave for work.  It really makes it seem like you're working late.  At 7pm, it feels like it's bedtime because it's already been dark for forever (not that I still ever make it to bed at a decent hour).

There's a lot of history behind the Winter Solstice.  So I've reverted back to educating my blog readers (however few of you there are); might as well since I'm educating myself too. 

The Winter Solstice, which this year occurs on the 21st of December, is the time when the earth’s axis tilts furthest away from the sun (23 degrees 26’ to be exact). It is also the day when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky. This moment occurs in only an instant, but it is traditionally known as the shortest day of the year. And (yea!) means that the days after this will start getting longer.  Thank goodness!  This actually occurs in June for people living in the Southern Hemisphere (makes sense). Solstice comes from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to sit still).

In 45 BC, the Romans set the winter solstice based on the Julian Calendar, as December 25th. Which became the day on which the birth of Christ was traditionally observed, otherwise known as Christmas (I know you know this already, but this is going somewhere). Over the years, Christians incorporated folk traditions of the winter solstice into the celebrations of Christimas.

One of the main folk traditions is that of Juletid (Yule, Jul, or Yuletide) which started with the Scandinavian Norse (eventual Norway) and Germanic tribes. One of these European midwinter celebrations was also The Feast of the Dead. The night of December 24th to the 25th was eventually signed into law as the day in which Yule was to be celebrated to align with the Christian celebrations. Some of these folk traditions were meant to honor pagan gods, such as Thor, the god of thunder.

Folk traditions which were incorporated into the Christian Christmas, include the use of the word Yule or Yuletide, gift giving, good deeds and singing (caroling).

So there you have it, at least if you believe Wikipedia. But there is a lot more to be had, so if you want to, read away. I only give you the nutshell.