Winter Begins With The Solstice

This is the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, and beginning of winter.  This is why we decorate Christmas trees, really.  Back in our forebears' days, they would chop down an evergreen tree and bring it into the hut, castle or cave and decorate with fruits, ribbons or other small things and drink down some cups of mulled wine.  Dancing would commence and celebrations of all sorts were made in recognition of the fact that life would renew itself and days become longer once again.

Our little tree is glowing quietly near the window and our neighbors have strung lights in their yards in defiance of eternal darkness and desolation.  Well, also in remembrance of the story of a birth in Bethlehem heralded by a bright star in the night sky.  All the events throughout recorded western history are blurred now into what we now recognize as Christmas, but the fact is we will now undergo ever-lengthening days until the summer solstice.

This is a fine thing, my favorite aspect of Christmas, the lights and decorations.  Fire itself is powerful and iconic to our primitive minds; even small modern lights have that ability to enchant us.  Those early evergreen trees did not have lights on them.  Instead, the seeming eternal nature of a green tree in winter symbolized life itself, a definite sign that not all things were dead, life still pulsed in the woods somewhere.  The Germans, as I understand it, could have been the first to attach candles to the trees.  Some trees went up in flames when pitch caught fire, but most of the time, candlelight was so pretty that the custom spread.  Later, Christians added a bright star on top to symbolize the star of Bethlehem.

People who practice other faiths have other ways of celebrating the longest winter night, mostly using flames and special foods.  As for Christmas trees, nowadays Americans assume it's an American tradition and almost feel a national pride as they look at their trees.  Truly, though, a "winter-green tree"  is a symbol and tradition not to be messed with.  With intense nostalgia piqued by the merest glimpse of a decorated evergreen tree, we know an icon when we see one.

Happy Winter Solstice, ye dwellers in the dark.  Mulled wine and hearty food will get you through the night and put your mind at ease.  Though winter officially begins today, daylight hours will now be getting longer by a few minutes each day until they are equal again at the vernal equinox in March.