Phoenix
by Dale J. Sprague
White Papers
The Dead of Winter
Published in December1999 issue of "Relationships to Savor" ezine .
Is it any coincidence that the most holy day of the Christian world falls among the darkest coldest days of the year? And that one of the warmest celebrations of the Jewish tradition, Hanukah, just precedes Christmas. These celebrations were created at a time when life, wild in the wood, dreamed of aestival dawns. They dreamed, but we gather by hearth and fire. Clans, members of a home, individuals celebrate in the silence of their faith, and enjoy festive days as they charm that Dead of Winter Knight out of its fearless quest to dim the lights to make grey days and disparaging nights.
For us, the Winter Knight passes, and we journey with its beginning with Thanksgiving, the twilight of the night of our solemnities, which ends for many on Epiphany dawn, in observance of the Magi who arrived in Bethlehem to see the prophesized man'child king. But it all begins, more or less, with sumptuous hams and turkeys whose warm savory essence hangs delicately in the air, and carries us afar, reclined, full of pleasant aroma and conversation. The affair of winter solstice begins, our solace on winter nights awakens. Family, friends, favorite stories, a compelling book. Colorful flashing decorations, competitive games. Condensation on windows, or snow'laden window panes. Warm inside, cold outside, we feel nestled wherever we are, like in the comfort of a warm cushioned chair.
These are not the only reveries that one can think of. Wherever the heart is, it finds hearth, home, and a place to rest. The dishes wait! Serving pumpkin pie..with white whipped sweet on top! Even those who are alone can find some pie if they try, and a warm easy chair to sink deep into, or a soft cushion upon which to recline..an intriguing read, a good film, a fine wine.
As the twilight of Thanksgiving dims, the Earth turns, and winter nights become frosted, crisp, and electric. There is urgency, even panic. Bells ringing..Salvation Army. And for an everyday toner, grey days passing are slower, darker..more vacuous than ever before until that first mug of sweet cocoa..or steaming hot buttered raisin'd rum..or delicious expresso of one's choice, we share with a loved one, a friend..even a stranger will do. We may never see this person again, but two mugs passing in the night, toasting retired Sol...who cares? The night is bitter cold, but the mugs are warm. The night, liquid, hot and inviting.
Before the Christmas we know, or the mass of Christ, before this celebration of the son of man, certainly the son of enlightenment..Natalis Solis Invicti, the birthday of the Unconquerable Sun, there has always been a celebration or gathering. In ancient days, to beat that Winter Knight intent on its mission, people made the darkest time of the year a celebration of the moment when the sun becomes reborn. Before the Christmas we know, people simply traveled throughout their community, just to visit and socialize. In many communities, winter holiday cheer was in the form of specially prepared delectables, and hot drink was waiting to be served to a cold traveler invited to stand by a warm hearth. If someone had it in mind, a novelty was given to a child.
From home to home, many of the community traveled through winter's dark nights. Each home, a different celebration. Each country a different tradition. Each century, a new tradition. What is in common throughout the ages is that people fashion their winter holidays to fit their own needs and beliefs by simply doing together what brings warmth and pleasure.
The Winter Knight begins its charge, to strike cold and mourning in the deep of our heart upon every dark night. Winter solstice, when day is shortest, and the sun stands still, even when our aboriginals were in caves...did they wander the frost'bit hills in fearful trembling of the cold?..or rather, gather around a warm fire, its light dancing upon cave walls, a roast on the spit, and stories of bold and folly filling the air, drinking gourds of beer, Precambrian holiday cheer.
Candles, fruitcake, evergreen holly..mistletoe, bells a'ringing, a Christmas story belonging to the tradition of our time...but what makes it warm is the comfort of one's home and at least one other, invited to gather, enjoin, enjoy together a hot mug. Atone with friends and loved ones, or with the greater Cosmos..whatever makes us warm inside an outside chilling. Whatever brightens the day, with a sun faraway, whatever charms the heart and comforts us most, to keep that Winter Knight from treading too close.