What is a Winter Solstice Sing?

Written by Rev. Loretta Jaunzarins M.Div., PCSG

A couple of years ago I discovered the Christian tradition of the Winter Solstice Sing and thought it would be lovely to do it again this December. Of course, the pandemic limits what we can do, but I think we can still have an experience with the hope that in the near future we might be able to gather in person around a fire on the longest night of the year.

Here is the Zoom link for the event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86442951604?pwd=czVnU2FFNkdJUklZa2puYWtQZzA1dz09
Meeting ID: 864 4295 1604
Passcode: 464372

Winter Solstice

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Melinda A. Quivik, liturgical writer and scholar and former pastor and seminary professor, writes that December 21st, the Winter Solstice, is the longest night of the natural year. Throughout Christian liturgical history, the winter solstice has been a time when friends and family gather, usually around a big bonfire and sing and feast to celebrate the slow lengthening of daylight as the sun (in metaphorical terms), over the next six months, moves toward the Summer Solstice, or the longest day.

We may think that December 21 is just an ordinary day on the calendar, but Quivik reminds us that it is an occurrence worthy of celebration by persons of faith. We live in a culture where most people are unconscious of the natural world, yet, it is actually a creation that reflects God’s deep love for us. When we honour Earth and the heavens, we honour God. Quivik writes: “We can claim the seasons’ climatic moments as emblematic of our relationship with Christ, because of his incarnation – God’s own self becoming one of us.”

While it would still be difficult to gather in someone’s home or outdoors around a fire and a big feast this year, we can open up a bit and replicate this traditional ritual and celebration. If you feel comfortable and are fully vaccinated, join me on Tuesday, December 21 at 7 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 104 Hughson St. N., Hamilton, for a Winter Solstice Sing with live music, singing, poetry and prayer. Masks and contact tracing also apply. Or, you can join me via Zoom (link below).

I hope you might enjoy a Winter Solstice Sing as Advent draws to a close, the sun stays low in the sky and hovers, waiting for the Light of the World on December 25th.

The Planets at the Solstice

AND, what will be happening in the sky at or around the winter solstice? If the sky is clear, you might be able to see the Ursids Meteor Shower between December 17 and 26. It will probably peak early morning of December 22. Also, Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter will be clustered in a line just after sunset on December 21. Nature is truly amazing!

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