The
quiet of winter is settling in. These days after the Winter Solstice and
Christmas are peaceful. The holiday rush has passed. The big family meals have
been prepared, served, and cleared away from the holiday table. What remains,
sits in colorful little containers to be devoured in happy little bits.
I
love these quiet days, but I especially love the nights. Last night, I returned
home quite late after a small spontaneous party at the home of a dear
friend. I stepped outside with the dog into the frosty night. Looking up at the
sky, it seemed as though a billion new stars had arrived on the scene. The
crescent moon was tipped on its side and sat looking like a cradle awaiting the
birth of new life.
In
New England, the night sky is at its most elegant in December. It is the crowning
glory of winter. The December moon is extraordinary in all of its phases. The
full moon seems to be more full. The half moon seems to shine more brightly,
and the sliver of new moon dominates the night sky, despite its diminutive
size. These moons are so potent that they linger at daybreak and remain as the
sun rises high in the sky. They hover over the landscape on a backdrop of
brilliant blue.
Waiting
is a theme in December. In the Christian tradition, advent is the period of time leading up to the celebration of the birth of the Christ child on Christmas. The pagans were awaiting the return of the
light at the time of the Winter Solstice. December is a good time to pose the question; what is it that we are waiting for? It is a time
for contemplation. The quiet offers us
ample opportunity to take this time. What can we learn from these moons? What
can we learn from the experience of living through long periods of darkness? Where do we find light during these dark
days?
The
December sky serves as a stunning reminder to look inward. It is an opportunity
to rest from the frenetic pace of daily life. The new year will soon be upon
us. Step outside and turn your gaze upward toward the heavens. You will find something there.
