And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. Genesis 1:3-5

The winter solstice is one of the oldest seasonal festivals of humankind. It seems right to place the birth of the light at the time of the greatest darkness. Today we know the sun will come back but our ancestors weren’t quite so sure and didn’t take that return for granted, particularly since they were impacted a lot more by the winter elements than we are today. As an agricultural society that depended on crops it was definitely worth celebrating.

What a powerful metaphor was embraced by the Egyptians with the birth of Horus, the Persians with the birth of Mithra, and the Christians with Jesus, to mention just a few of the divine child saviors. How interesting that they all share the same story of a miraculous virgin birth and of the winter solstice celebrating the return of the light to a world of darkness. Amazing how people separated by time and space tapped into a universal story of truth that is as relevant today as when it was originally told and celebrated. Unaware of your slumbering spiritual magnificence, you walk this world oblivious to your greater potential. Winter is the germination and preparation for the flowering of spring as all things that come into existence must first be born. There is a divine spark in you that is ready to make its return and birth itself into expression. As cold as the dark times may get for you, remember that from the beginning of recorded history the return of the light has been celebrated, and the return of that light is your story.

Spiritual Contemplation: Where in your life has it become so dark that you’ve begun to question whether the light will return for you? Remember, the birth of the light comes at the time of the greatest darkness. Take some time to contemplate this ageless celebration and its relevance to your world today.

Affirmation: Today the light returns to my world!