Winter

Red-Tailed Hawk perched on a grapevine covered tree.


We have had a very mild winter so far. Nights may drop below freezing but day time temperatures rise above the ice-making threshhold of 32F. Yet, it still feels like Winter. Winter is about darkness. This part doesn't change from year to year. The sun peaks above our horizon after 7am (7:09am to be exact for 12/15/11) and sets before 5pm (4:16pm for 12/15/11). The darkness seems to come on suddenly but I think it's because I'm not paying attention. Shadows begin to lengthen by 2pm and the sun loses it's strength shortly afterward. On a cloudy day, it feels like day  has hardly arrived when the gloomy grey begins to become darker.
Preparing for the "Winter Holidays" helps us wade through the enclosing darkness. We must stay busy or else the darkness enthralls our thoughts and we can only think of our losses and misgivings. So, we prepare for celebration at the point of the deepest and longest night knowing that this is the very last one before the days lengthen, one day at a time until it's peak in June.  It is reason to rejoice.
"The light of man" carries deeper spiritual meanings. Where do we journey when we seek "the light" through our own darkness? Is it to a manger, or through the forest, or up to the stars, or over to grandma's house?

Grapevine wreaths made from the vines pulled from the trees about the property.

* "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light", (Psalm 36:9) says David from the Old Testament.

* "Does Santa Claus exist?" asked Victoria. "He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy", says Francis Church (from the Sun editor's letter to Victoria; 1897).

* "Divine love makes us true to ourselves and to others. . . Divine love is the solution to our difficulties and problems. It frees us from every kind of binding. It makes us speak truly, think truly, and act truly. It makes us feel one with the whole universe. Divine love purifies our hearts and glorifies our being". says, Meher Baba, Indian Mystic (20th century).

"Nothing is lost in the circle of love" sings the Marie Sisters (from their song "Circle of Love" 2002)

Peace be with you.