The Rising of the Sun, and the Running of the Deer

What we celebrate in this household is....everything. The turning of the Great Wheel, return of the light, birth of hope. We use evergreens and holly, candles of all kinds, symbols of nature religions, Judaism, and Christianity. We have several menorahs, a handmade Mexican pottery creche, angels, trees, stags, lights. We welcome the return of the sun with firelight and candlelight, we light the candles with praises to the Lord of the Universe for seven nights, sometimes we both go to Midnight Mass. That this time in the winter is the occasion of a huge hemispheric natural event - the sun standing still - is worthy of all possible ritual. It is also a time for generosity, the same generosity shown us by the sun in its return, the Christ Child by his birth in human form, the lamps miraculously filling and refilling with oil - whatever miracle you choose to follow.

For all of it is miracle: each day we are alive to see the fierce winter stars caught up in the tracery of bare oak branches, to hear the voices of those we love, to taste the goodness of life in all its forms. To my fellow Blue Voicers, whom I love as brothers and sisters, whom I admire as valiant fighters of the good fight, and to our readers and commenters, of whatever persuasion, I send my wishes for a Yule season of peace, the joy of time together with those you love, good things to share, a moment to reflect on the year that is passing and the year that is to come.

Our next round of holiday company starts tomorrow, and after they depart I will be off to New Mexico for house-hunting. It may well be 2006 before I am back to blog, but, imsha'Allah, I will be back as soon as possible. It should be an interesting year ahead.

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