What, to the Christian, is the Winter Solstice?

Like I teach my students, I feel it is always important to examine and reveal your own bias first before making decisions and formulating opinions. I call myself a Christ-follower, and not a Christian, for many reasons, but the most important ones being 1) out of honor for my family’s heritage, 2) out of disdain for the judgmental and negative connotation ascribed to Christianity today, and 3) out of loyalty to the teachings of Christ, and not the politics and patriarchy of the church. Most of my life I’ve heard “Remember the Reason for the Season,” or “Keep the Christ in Christmas”…you know the rhetoric. And I largely ascribed to this train of thought.

Until I took my first religion class in college, and I was taught by my professor (an Episcopalian Bishop mind you) of the findings of most religious scholars. I learned for the first time about the Winter Solstice, Saturnalia, and the co-opting of these celebrations as the Catholic Church gained and exercised massive political power. The fact is, no one knows exactly when Jesus was born, and it will likely be debated and contested until He comes again to tell us himself.

In prefacing the rest of this article with the aforementioned information, I want to make it clear that I, as a Christ-follower, recognize the power in recognition, in the celebrating of symbols, and the acceptance that there is much about the universe and nature I will never understand. It is important for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The commemoration of important events is normal; we have numerous accounts of enslaved people choosing an arbitrary birthday for just that reason. But in doing so, that does not mean we automatically debase and erase other historical and symbolic events as well, like the Winter Solstice. And we, as Christ-followers, can harness the immense power in the symbolisms of today, just as we do on Christmas with prayer, singing, and the rituals of church services.

 It has always struck me as odd that Black American Christians are so quick align themselves with the power and positive contributions of our African Ancestors while denouncing the spirituality that made them capable of those tremendous feats. And while Christianity has never been “the White man’s religion” as so many Hotep Black Americans chose to deem it, (check Ethiopia for further proof), the majority of Black American ancestors were not Christians. Yet we still herald them as Kings, Queens, and leaders. We can’t pedestalize and patronize our ancestors in the same breath, as if Christianity somehow makes us better than they were simply because we chose, and/or were set on a different path. Symbolism and reverence for the natural order was a part of our ancestors’ daily life. By definition, they were the “pagans” and “Babylonians” the Bible warns us about, but their beliefs are part of our ancestral DNA, and we shouldn’t separate ourselves from that.

 So much of my own spiritual life and awakening has been wrestling with these two worlds, but what I’ve come to realize is that there is no paradox to contend with here; it is possible to celebrate the (arbitrary) birthday of Christ and to reverence the (scientific) longest night of the year for what it represents to us, no matter what your faith is.

What is Winter Solstice?

 In the northern hemisphere, the Winter Solstice marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year. It generally happens on or around December 21st of the year, making it always the same week as Christmas (December 25th in case you forgot). This year, it will happen at 10:59 am Eastern Standard Time, officially marking the first day of Winter. And while the anemic in me doesn’t necessarily want to celebrate the portal into cold weather and lessened sunshine, many cultures have long recognized the power in this day, largely symbolic ,but nevertheless capable of dynamic things because from this point on, light will continue to increase while darkness decreases (until the Summer Solstice). It marks a season of introspection. Many claim their most powerful and revealing dreams during this time. (And any good Christian/Christ-follower knows how the Bible feels about dreams).

For those into astrology, this is also the beginning of Capricorn season. And as a fellow Earth sing (Taurus here), I truly align with this energy. Capricorns and disciplined leaders, great at planning and business. And it may be that for you, during Winter Solstice, your mind is focused on matters of money, career, business, and structure.

From a spiritual standpoint, I’m often reminded of a phrase I have heard my whole life: the darkest hour is just before the dawn. That phrasing or idea is present in many hymns, songs, and mantras of most ministers. And in looking at the Winter Solstice, that is precisely the hope that this day represents. This year, while it has had its successes for me, has been full of unanswered prayers, uncertainty about my life direction, and feelings of hopelessness in a world that doesn’t seem to ever get better. But then I remember that this may be my Winter Solstice, my darkest moments making way for light, and scripturally, I’m supported in this:

 “By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me.” Psalm 42:8

 “You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.” 2 Samuel 22:29

“You will not fear the terror of night...nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness.” Psalm 91:5-6

We can take heart in the hope that if we can endure the long dark, we will soon see radiant light in the form of blessings, clarity, prosperity, wellness, and love. In honoring this hope, you can implement simple Winter Solstice rituals on this day.

The Importance of Rituals and how to perform them

Ritual acts are simply tangible motions of intangible emotions. They are visual ways to honor the unseen faith we have, as well as tools to acknowledge how these visual cues connect us to others and to the world at large.

After watching many videos, and reading other books and blogs, I’ve come to the conclusion that, like spirituality, your choice in ritual is personal. But there were some commonalities I’ve seen across the board that are simple for most people to do to honor the pregnant energy of the day and season.

1) Candle-work and Colors

Again, this should be no surprise to most Christians as most church alters already utilize candles and colors in part of daily religious rituals. Lighting candles and choosing colors that symbolize the soon-coming light of day and allowing them to burn throughout the day is any easy thing to do as part of your ritual.

2) Intention setting

In conjunction with candles, take paper that has not been written on, write down on one sheet what you would like to learn and sow in your season of darkness, and on another clean sheet, write what you would like to manifest and reap during your season of light.  

For Then the LORD answered me: “Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it.the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.…~Habakkuk 2:2-3

I post this verse here because it is often misunderstood or misrepresented by Christians. They key difference is that you are not just manifesting what you want, but you are trying to align yourself with what God wants for you. Christ-followers believe that if you are atuned to God, then the desires of your heart will align with God’s plan for your life. It is these things that I manifest by writing them down. If these manifestations are meant to share with others, then share them, but if they are only meant to remain between you and God or your spiritual guide, then do the following : burn both sheets with your candle, symbolically releasing those items into God’s hands, or the cosmos.  Many people also choose to scatter the ashes on the ground, symbolizing the power of the Earth to help us to prosper as we symbolically sow and reap. As you walk by the candle daily, consciously remember what you have burned and released, and rest knowing that things are working in your favor.

3)    Ritual Baths

Another symbol not unknown to Christians, as there are many instances throughout the Bible of ritualistically cleansing for many reasons, is the ritual bath. This is not a bath with soap and water, but rather a bath filled with things meaningful for you. Many people chose to light candles, sprinkle sea salt and other essential oils in the water, or even the petals of meaningful flowers. Do some research on the items that align most with your spirit and what you desire. As you soak in the water, symbolically soak in anything transmitted to you during this time of meditation and focus. And if you really want to harness your power, jot down those thoughts, questions, and ideas as soon as you come out of the water.

 4)    Prayer

While this should be a daily ritual, specifically, you want to pray to your higher power for clarity and sight in the darkness, and for the lessons and tools to fully optimize your time in the light, being mindful to express gratitude for the things you already have, and lessons already learned.

 5)    Fasting/Deprivation

I have also read of some choosing to fast, whether it be from all food all day, or simply abstaining from one thing, to show God and the Universe that you can handle less in order to be blessed with more. You can choose to put down your phone for the day, abstain from alcohol, food, or something that means a great deal to you. The ability to sacrifice is a foundational pillar in Christianity, as well as in most faith systems. The Winter Solstice should be no different.

6)    Ancestor Altars/General Altars

I will do another separate post on the importance of ancestor altars and how to use them, however for now, if you are already someone who has one, or who utilizes general altars in your faith (sometimes referred to as prayer closets), this could be a great ritual for you. To begin, you’ll want to make sure your altar space is clean and hidden from public view.  During Winter Solstice, many utilize seasonal foods, plants, spices, and colors, in addition to the symbols of water, earth, air, and fire that should always be on your altar. If offering food to ancestors as a sign of respect, offer them seasonal and comforting foods signifying warmth and happiness. Seasonal alcohol or beers are also appropriate when necessary. But again, altars and ancestor altars (in my opinion) are not something that should be just thrown together without forethought. You may want to do further research before you open that portal.

Overall

Winter Solstice is not something to be shunned by Christians as blasphemous, but rather it should be appreciated as an extension of rituals we already perform. Light and day are motifs we constantly wrestle with, as we each have a shadow-side and a light-side. If you choose, take these tools and suggestions with a grain of salt (that you can throw over your shoulder lol), and apply them in ways that feel natural to you. Wishing you a fertile season of darkness and a fruitful season of light!