The winter solstice, marking the longest night of the year is Monday night. At 11:48 EST to be exact.
The winter solstice is the “precise moment the Northern Hemisphere is tilted its farthest from the sun“. Throughout my life, I’ve had my own winter solstice a time or two. A time when life felt like one long, cold night. And right now, during the holidays, some of you are right in the middle of your own longest night.
Right here at Christmas.
And, everyone knows, the Christmas season magnifies all things.
Emotions, experiences…everything is heightened.
There’s no discrimination, bliss or sorrow, both become bigger.
Some years, when all is well, we laugh our way through December.
Other years, when life is hard, tears replace the laughter.
Live long enough and you’ll have both. And after you move through a holiday season with the companion of a heavy heart, you feel more deeply for others who are hurting.
Winter Solstice is tonight.
Winter Solstice…the longest night of the year.
But, dear ones… take heart...the following night is shorter.
After the longest night, the days slowly begin to lengthen…
I just wanted to take a moment to reach out to any of you who may be living through your longest night this Christmas season.
I’m so sorry.
Hold tight Dear Ones. Hold tight to the One who made you. He hasn’t forgotten you. He hears your cries for help. He sees your tears.
Even if you don’t see Him…He’s with you.
And after the long night, there’s the promise of longer days.
I’m saying prayers for hurting hearts who find their way here…
~Sending love~
***
Paula says
December 21, 2015 at 9:02 amThis post is the best thing I’ve read this Christmas season. Thank you for expressing this message so beautifully.
Paula
Patricia N says
December 21, 2015 at 9:20 amYou get it! While we have joy and blessings in our heart we also have much sorrow that tends to appear more so at this time of year. My prayers go out to others who are hurting – may their year ahead be a better one. Thanks for this post. Merry Christmas!
Gina says
December 21, 2015 at 10:05 amThanks for the reminder robin! Praying for all those hurting this Christmas. 🙂
Robin says
December 22, 2015 at 8:12 amGina…me too my friend~ Merry Christmas xo
melinda says
December 21, 2015 at 10:06 amIt was so good to open this email this morning,and find that someone is praying for those of us who are hurting. My son’s wife left 8 months ago with their 2 children,with the promise of coming back…..he will be without his children this Christmas it is a sad time for all of us…but we do know that God is still on the throne and he is interceding for us at this very time! May you and yours have a blessed season,and a wonderful Christmas day:)
Robin says
December 22, 2015 at 8:12 amMelinda, I’m so sorry about your son’s family- I know as a mom to grown children, this must be hard on you too…I pray that God will give all of you peace in the coming weeks and that the new year would bring good things for your family . Sending love my friend xo
Judyincarefree says
December 21, 2015 at 10:26 amMerry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, Mike and your entire family including “the littles”! I’ve gone from laughter to tears many times during the last few days and I’m sure it will keep happening all week, but that is life. Good thing, the last Express Mail box is packed and ready to go out this morning to our daughter and family who won’t be with us this year…cookies, candy and Dingo’s for the dogs! The bad, that they won’t be with us, I still have shopping and decorating to do, and I’m stressed about those things. However, I do know that stress flies away when we gather with our other daughter and family on Thursday evening to celebrate, eat and open gifts. We usually go to their house for brunch and stockings on Christmas Day, but this year they will host our son-in-law’s family and my husband and I are looking forward to sleeping in if the dogs will let us, having a quiet breakfast and then maybe doing nothing, but enjoying the decorations and relaxing.
Robin says
December 22, 2015 at 8:10 amJudy…And merry Christmas to you and yours my friend…I’m sorry one of your beautiful daughters won’t be with you this Christmas- I hope you and your family who comes on Christmas Eve will enjoy every moment. Mike and I do Christmas Eve with the kids and the Littles too- then on Christmas Day, we lounge around all day with the pups! (Occasionally,we get a wild hair and head out to see a movie- the theatre is full of people our age 🙂 ) Sending love to you Judy- you are a blessing to me xo
Carla says
December 21, 2015 at 12:01 pmlove this…thank you. <3
Robin says
December 22, 2015 at 8:07 amCarla- thank you for hanging out with me my friend xo
Glenis says
December 21, 2015 at 7:54 pmThank you Robin…I needed to read this today. You are a blessing.
Glenis
Robin says
December 22, 2015 at 8:07 amGlenis, you bless me my friend – sending love xo
Noreen says
December 21, 2015 at 9:20 pmBlessings to you Robin for sharing the heart of the Lord here today! Such a powerful post which will encourage others who are walking through the valley right now. May your week be covered in joy.
Noreen
Robin says
December 22, 2015 at 8:06 amNoreen…thank you my friend and I pray you have a most joyful week too xo
Julie K says
December 22, 2015 at 2:16 amRobin, it’s as if you read my mind. I haven’t been able to get through my emails in a few days and I opened this one at 2:02am on a sleepless night. My heart is heavy this year and I’m getting by by focusing on the birth of Christ. The presents, the family get togethers, the shopping, decorating, baking-I’ve done none of it. And truth be told, while I miss it, I’m oddly excited that I can focus on the Lord. I’m sure as with all things, this season I’m going through, while hard, is helping me to grow in some way unknown to me. Thank you for this post. Wonderful as always.
Robin says
December 22, 2015 at 8:05 amJulie, praying that you have peace in the coming days and that God gives you hope and joy in the new year…sending love my friend xo
Julie Garmon says
December 22, 2015 at 6:06 pmSuch beautiful words straight from your heart.
❤️❤️❤️❤️