As an alternative to Christmas cards, I would like to share with you this article on Astronomy merging with the Biblical Christmas story:
Celebrating
Winter Solstice – The Sun is on the Southern Cross
For
thousands of years, carvings on temples, cave walls, monuments and
artefacts have honoured the sun: bringer of warmth, security, life
and light. As the days grow shorter in the period leading up to
the winter solstice, December 21st, the sun appears to stop moving
south or north and stays still for three days (in the northern
hemisphere) – the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of December. This is the
meaning of the word ‘sol-stice’ – sun standing still. To our
ancestors this period symbolized the death of the sun god (son of
god) and when three days later on the 25th of December the sun
started moving again, the sun was reborn – hence the birth of Jesus
at this time – the sun god or son of god, the saviour of mankind.
It is no coincidence that our principal day of worship is called Sun
Day.
The
Bible tells us that three wise men came from the east, following a
star that led them to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Jesus the
Messiah. Sirius is the star in the east, the brightest star in
the sky, which on December 24th aligns with the three brightest stars
in the constellation of Orion (Orion’s belt). The stars were
referred to by many ancient cultures as the Three Kings.
During
this three day period, the sun resides in the vicinity of the
Southern Cross constellation and appears to ‘hang’ on the cross,
hence the story of the crucifixion. However the resurrection of the
sun or son is celebrated three months later at the spring equinox
when the nights are equal to the daylight (Easter) and when once
again the forces of light ‘defeat’ the forces of darkness, and
the days grow longer than the nights. (Author:
Stella Woods)
“May
the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you and the pure
light within you guide your way on.”
Barbara
