I am hearing a lot of complaining about how it's politically incorrect to say, "Merry Christmas," that we're supposed to say, "Happy Holidays" to be sensitive to people of other faiths. Our president has announced that he has saved Christmas, and now we can all go back to remembering what this holiday is about.
But...the midwinter feast and the ancient celebration of light has nothing to do with Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism or even Rastafarianism. Today is the Winter Solstice. Many cultures have held festivals of light on this day, burning candles, lighting bonfires, and decorating trees. Stonehenge was constructed more than 8,000 years ago to demonstrate the solstice, so that those living there then could celebrate the return of the sun on this, the darkest day of the year. This was long before the pyramids, the Bible, the Greek Empire or the manufacture of bronze.
So have a joyous Sacred Solstice, everyone! And remember the true meaning of this season, the return of the light.
