The Longest Night

Today is the Winter Solstice. It is our longest night of the year…the one with the most darkness to daylight. This time of year can remind people of their own personal emotional or spiritual darkness, too. Many are excited about a merry Christmas in just a few days, but for others, it will be anything but bright. This is especially true for those missing a loved one.

I love this passage out of the Psalms: “And now, God, do it again—bring rains to our drought-stricken lives so those who planted their crops in despair will shout ‘Yes!’ at the harvest, so those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing” (Psalm 126:4-6, MSG). It acknowledges how there are times when we water the seeds of life with tears of grief. It also points to remind us that God is in the delivery business — He delivered His people out of bondage before, and He will do it again. If you’re carrying a heavy load that feels all the heavier today, keep planting and watering, because the harvest will come, and when it does, you will experience laughter and blessing again. Yes it might be different, but that’s ok.

There is something beautiful about how Christmas comes so close to the Winter Solstice. We celebrate God sending the Light of the World into the world to cast out the darkness. Jesus is light perpetual and hope personified. If you feel “blue” today, know you are not alone. Also know there is hope. The sun will rise again and God’s Son still shines. May that light radiate for you on this the longest night, and any time you fear you are walking in darkness.