While Christmas gets all the press in December (as it should), there is another day for me that I like to celebrate as well. That day is the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere. This year it falls on the 22nd of December. On this day the north pole is shifted further away from the sun than on any other day of the year. This also means that the south pole is tilted closer to the sun marking the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere. This is the day that gives us the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight. We will only have 9 hours and 6 minutes of daylight on the 22nd in Northwest Pennsylvania. Fairbanks Alaska will only see 3 hours and 41 minutes of daylight on the 22nd. Normally the winter solstice falls on the 21st of December and this is the first time in 4 years that it falls on the 22nd.
Some of our Christmas traditions can be traced to the Pagans from approximately 450 BC who celebrated the winter solstice as the rebirth of the sun where the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half of the year. They would decorate their homes with evergreen boughs, holly, and mistletoe. A Yule log was the highlight of the ceremony. This log would either be cut from a person’s own property or it would be given to them as a gift, it could not be purchased. A piece of the prior years Yule log would also be placed with it in the fireplace. The log would be lit and let burn for twelve days before being ceremoniously put out.
Winter can seem long and cold at times but by staying active and treating it as a participation event instead of something that is looked upon with dread and sorrow it will be much easier to get through. As outdoor adventurers the growing daylight means more time to spend in the wild doing the things we love to do. Do not let the cold stop you from getting outside, add an extra layer or two and go hiking, fishing, cross country skiing, it doesn’t matter what you do just get after it. Now, where did I put my hat?
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