The winter solstice this year will occur on December 21st at 10:19 pm. Following the shortest day of the year, days will lengthen and nights shorten.

During the final seven days of Advent the Church sings the O Antiphons during Evening Prayer. These antiphons are the basis of the beloved hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” which we will sing this coming Sunday. Read these reflections on all seven O Antiphons.

The antiphon assigned to December 21 is most appropriate for the winter solstice:

O Morning Star, splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

During Advent we have been learning to sit in the darkness, savor the darkness, learn from the darkness.

In the darkness of the earth, a seed germinates. In the darkness of the night, sleep renews. In the darkness of a womb, new life emerges.

Winter has its own beauty for those who take some lingering moments to notice. May these lovely words from the sending hymn last Sunday be our solstice prayer as we long for Christ’s coming and the great celebration of the incarnation at Christmas.

Heavy clouds that block the moonlight
Now begin to drift away.
Diamond brilliance through the darkness
Shines the hope of coming day.
Christ, the morning star of splendor,
Gleams with a world grown dim.
Heaven’s ember fan to fullness;
Hearts grow warm to welcome him.
- Mary Louise Bringle

Advent and Christmas blessings of grace and peace to you, whether you will be celebrating in Chicago or with loved ones in other places.