The end of December is a dark time of year. The sun is not out for very long each day and rain or clouds can cover the daylight hours making them seem darker than usual.
As our ancestors did, we see the moon as the Goddess and the sun as the God. It is thought that the God lives underground this time of year when we don't often see the sun. On the longest night of the year, Winter Solstice, people celebrate the rebirth of the sun, of God, because they know from now on the days will get longer and the sun will get stronger.
We like to decorate this time of year to brighten our days. The Christmas or Solistice tree is usally adorn with lights and a star to remind us of the light we miss.
The Sami people of northern Europe started the tradition of Santa Clause. Their shaman use to wear the colors of the Goddess, red, white and black. On the longest night of the year families would wait inside their home. When they heard the shaman approach on his reindeer driven sleigh, the family would put out their fire and wait.
The shaman would climb down their smoke hole and leave presents for the family, in return they would leave him an offering just like we leave Santa cookies today.
2000 years ago people began to tell a new version of the story of the rebirth of the light. It was called the birth of Jesus. It is said there was a woman named Mary.
God sent an Angel to Mary and told her that she would give birth to the son of God.
Mary and her husband Joseph traveled a long distance and came to rest in a stable where Mary gave birth to Yeshua, also called Jesus.
Alma 7:10 "And behold, he shall be aborn of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the cland of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God." Book of Mormon
Today we celebrate a mixture of these traditions. We have kept the tree, the lights, presents and even the Sami Santa Claus....
All to celebrate the birth of the sun and the son.
Blessed be and happy holidays!
