I don’t have Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD as it is
called, so I have to admit that I don’t really understand it. I don’t dismiss it, but I don’t understand
it. You see, I have always liked
winter. I find a blue winter sky
dazzling, new fallen snow beautiful, the cold refreshing and the darkness
comforting.
Today in the northern hemisphere, we celebrate the Winter
Solstice. It is the shortest day of our
year. But tomorrow on schedule, the
earth will begin its steady tilt toward the sun and the days will begin to get longer. It’s as it should be.
This time of year makes me think of one of my
favorite hymns, which was written by Unitarian Universalist Shelley Jackson
Denham who passed away earlier this year sadly.
This hymn called Dark of Winter. It has a lovely meditative melody that I can
actually sing in my way, but it is the text that I really love. It was written to portray a positive image
of night and darkness, which after all, is as necessary and natural as
the light of day. I think it has
special meaning on this shortest day of the year.
Dark of Winter
by Shelley Jackson Denham
Dark of winter, soft and still, your quiet calm
surrounds me.
Let my thoughts go where they will, ease my
mind profoundly
And then my soul will sing a song, a blessed song
of love eternal.
Gentle darkness, soft and still, bring your quiet
to me.
Darkness, soothe my weary eyes, that I may see
more clearly.
When my heart with sorrow cries, comfort and
caress me.
And then my soul may hear a voice, a still, small
voice of love eternal.
Darkness, when my fears arise, let your peace
flow through me.
I wish you peace on this Winter Solstice. Blessed be.
