Solstice, Christ, Resurrection

Me: Jesus was born when it was warm outside

Other Me: Jesus Christ, the Son

The Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year where darkness seems to reign. For three days, the earth appears still, a moment of pause and waiting. On the fourth morning, the days begin to lengthen… a minute of light returns, symbolizing rebirth, renewal, and hope.

In the Northern Hemisphere, this stillness happens in winter, a season of introspection, rest, and quiet. Nature slows down, and the world pauses. It is in this space of darkness that light is born the promise of Christ arriving not just in the warmth of summer but in the cold, stark reality of human need for hope.

The three days of stillness mirror the three days Jesus lay in the tomb, a moment where all seemed lost. His resurrection on the third day brings life to the darkness and triumphs over death. The solstice reminds us that even in the longest night, the light will always return.

In the Southern Hemisphere, where the solstice falls during summer, the symbolism shifts to abundance and celebration. The light is already present, reflecting the joy and fulfillment of Christ’s promise. This duality captures the wholeness of Christ’s message. He came for us in every season, in every hemisphere, no matter where we stand in life.

The stillness of winter represents a time of waiting and preparation. The earth lies dormant, much like the waiting hearts of humanity before Christ’s arrival. It is a season to reflect, to turn inward, and to prepare for the return of life and light. This stillness parallels the spiritual pause during the crucifixion and burial of Christ where all creation held its breath.

The solstice and the resurrection are reminders to trust the stillness, to have faith in the waiting, and to celebrate the light’s return. Together, Christmas and Easter are like bookends of Christ’s mission. Christmas is the birth of hope. Easter is the fulfillment of that hope.

In honoring Christ’s birth and resurrection, we celebrate not just the events but the timeless cycle of renewal. It reassures us that no matter the darkness, light will always return, bringing hope, life, and salvation.