At Newgrange in Ireland, a huge Neolithic burial chamber dating from about 3200 BC was built in such a way that sunlight reached into the inner chamber just once during the year, at dawn on this day, the winter solstice.
It seems that many ancient people held special celebrations around this time, attuned as they were to the rhythm of nature. It is certainly true that the divine was recognized intensely by the Celts and other peoples in the workings of nature and easily discerned in the changing seasons. We can only wonder what this meant for them, and ask does it mean anything similar to us now?
In spite of all our modern technology, a huge part of our mood is related to the sun, and we are ever more conscious of the weather. It may be that there is a deep interior need to mark the shortest day by reminding ourselves of the light, of renewal or rebirth. Even at the darkest point of winter, we can believe in the return of the Sun. It reminds us that no matter how dark our interior life can become, light can still penetrate to illuminate and warm us.
May we too celebrate hope and light on this day.
