Welcome Winter Solstice

The winter solstice, or Yule, is traditionally celebrated on or around December 22, this year Dec. 21, marking the shortest day of the year.

The word solstice is derived from an ancient Latin word meaning, stop, or stand still.

Ancient beliefs held that on winter solstice, the longest night of the year, the sun and moon stopped in their flight across the sky. The night was followed by great anticipation and rejoicing as the sun reappeared, a sign of rebirth and an approaching new year.

Winter solstice is defined in a spiritual sense as a reminder that the old year is ending and a new spring filled with the promise of fulfillment awaits.

—Liz Goff