The Longest Night
December 21 is the winter solstice, which means it is the longest night of the year. According to the
Farmer’s Almanac, “the winter solstice for the Northern Hemisphere occurs on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 10:59 a.m. EST.
It’s the astronomical moment when the Sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn, and we have our shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere in terms of daylight. Regardless of what the weather is doing outside your window, the solstice marks the official start of winter.
The term “solstice” comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still) because, during the solstice, the angle between the Sun’s rays and the plane of the Earth’s equator (called declination) appears to stand still. So what does that mean, exactly? Upon the winter solstice, the Sun appears at its lowest in the sky, and its noontime elevation seems to stay the same for several days before and after this day. The Sun’s gradual decrease in the sky reverses upon the winter solstice, marking what many cultures believe to be a “rebirth” of the Sun as the hours of daylight become longer.”
For those who have had a loss—be it a loved one, a dream, health, or a joy-- this can be a difficult time of year when it seems everyone else is celebrating. On this night, the Longest Night Service is offered at St. Luke’s…it is a time to reflect, acknowledge those losses, and be comforted.
Please know that this service is also open to all who may be finding this time of year difficult, no matter when their loss occurred. I do so hope that you will join us for this special service.
Faithfully yours,
Becky Williams, RN, BSN
Director of Health Ministries
Pastoral Care Facilitator
bwilliams@stlukesbr.org
