The Solstice Cometh

It was the longest of days; it was the shortest of days.

That is, it will be both this coming Saturday as the Solstice arrives at 9:20 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time (0920 zulu), or 4:20 a.m. EST Saturday morning. In preparation, our minister devoted our Sunday service to the upcoming event -- a lengthening of days for us. 

More light is coming!
Image: There is a Day for That

The service highlighted the earth-centered origins of the various festivals of light that are central to so many traditions at this time of year. (Meanwhile, I see my friends in Brazil posting "almost summer" from their beaches!)

As part of our service here at First Parish UU Bridgewater, Pastor Rosemary led us in singing Baltimorean Charlie Murphy's "Light is Returning" and read to us from The Shortest Day, a book for all ages by Susan Cooper and Carson Ellis. The entire service will be available as a recording, but for now I will share video versions I was fortunate to find online.

First, Charlie Murphy performing Light is Returning with Pat Wright and the Total Experience Gospel Choir. 

And then The Shortest Day, as read by Tiffanie St. Clair. 

Lagniappe

I share all of this because I like to include pagan and other earth-centered traditions in my teaching about the seasons, which otherwise focuses on math and physics. Both are important for a rich understanding of geography. I am also sharing this because of connections we are building with the dynamic Geochron maps in our Geography and CASE programs at BSU. 

Stay tuned for more information about community programs around the cardinal and cross-quarter dates. For now I invite you to explore the Geochron web site (especially the animation at the bottom of its home page and the winter solstice page at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.