As the Shortest Day of the Year Arrives

This coming week holds the shortest day of the year December 21st, the beginning of Winter.
I want to write about the pagan traditions for this day to better understand the depth of its meaning for humanity, thus myself.

I have been struggling to write about an image that came to me during November.
This Tuesday as I pondered the wonderful Advent reflections by John Dear SJ I was able to capture the image and meaning:

Death & Birth or the original title

A Song of Birth

The sprout cracks its hardened case.
Pale in color
It reaches up
Through the dark.
Called to grow
Through an unyielding earth
Guided by an unseen light.

Breaking free to the surface…
Before a stable
Where a baby lies in a manger.
Bows it greening head
In awe and worship.
Angels burst forth in song
While twinkling stars in the night sky
Smile “Hello.”

Katy © December 2007