December 21, 2010

Winter Solstice

8 x 6, oil on canvas

Today marks the Winter Solstice; a day to celebrate LIGHT as we look toward longer days and shorter nights. Enhancing the celebration will be the brilliant light of a full moon.
I have always been intrigued to imagine what life, and this night, must have been like centuries ago when there was no electricity, when the onslaught of winter meant that many would starve or freeze. It is easy to understand why this night was so important, and why people celebrated with feasts as provisions were stockpiled for the approaching famine months, and there was joy in the lighting of candles. And today, while I was still having my morning tea, there was a celebration inside the Stonehenge circle, as onlookers watched the sun set. Centuries ago, the stones there were aligned to precisely capture the setting of the sun between two of the stones in honor of this day, and the promise of future days to come.
Light... Something to celebrate every day in every way. Wishing you the joy of family and friends, a peaceful heart, and the blessings of love and light this Christmas season.

"Somewhere across the winter world tonight
You will be hearing chimes that fill the air;
Christmas extends its all-enfolding Light
Across the distance...something we can share

You will be singing, just the same as I,
these familiar songs we know so well,
And you will see these same Stars in your sky,
And wish upon that brightest one that fell.

I shall remember you and trim my tree,
One shining Star upon the topmost bough;
I will hang wreaths of faith that all may see-
Tonight I glimpse beyond the here and now.

And all the time that we must be apart
I keep a Candle in my Heart."

Mary E. Linton

5 comments:

Angela said...

Beautiful painting, and beautiful words! Thank you for sharing. :) Happy Holidays.

Kathy Cousart said...

Lovely words and the painting is so soft and full of the most gorgeous greens...all wintery and wonderful.

Crazy RAvens Studio said...

You always have the best quotes! Merry Christmas, Faye.

Marian Fortunati said...

Love your painting and your post... I always learn something or am reminded of something when I read your posts, Faye!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Claire Beadon Carnell said...

Both your beautiful words and your painting touched my heart. Have a very Merry Christmas, full of the light of love and happiness!