so, the shortest day came . . .

[sorry about it being two days late, my parents are in town.  solstice was from midnight dec 21st to midnight dec. 22]

for you, my friends. 

if you have never heard this poem, i share it with you now.  these words inspire us, and bring closure to the year.  they creep into our memories throughout the seasons, and bring us back to this time of joy and family and friends.  they keep our circle going, and keep the memories alive.

The Shortest Day

So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the
Snow-white world,
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.

They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen.
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.

And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing, behind us--listen!

All the long echoes sing the same delight
This shortest day
As promise wakens in the sleeping land.

They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends, and hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year, and every year.

Welcome, Yule!

--by Susan Cooper, 1977 http://www.thelostland.com/biography.htm
written for The Christmas Revels
http://www.revels.org/