Here we are, closing in on the last days of 2024—dense with holidays, observations, and celebrations. In Mexico where I live, the season officially starts with the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12th and runs straight through to January 6th: Three Kings Day here, Epiphany elsewhere.
Amid the flicker of festive lights, the singing of the faithful recreating Mary and Joseph’s search for an inn (called the Posada), and the joyful booms of endless fireworks, my favorite day isn’t marked by a party or presents. It’s Solstice—the longest night of the year, offering the quiet promise that each day will grow a little brighter for the next six months.
There’s something about this rhythm—this promise of returning light—that feels like a balm for the soul. Solstice isn’t loud or showy. It’s a whisper from the earth to pause, to breathe, to trust in the cycles of renewal. Just as the sun begins its steady climb back to its summer peak, we too can find the strength to rise from our own darkest moments, guided by this ancient, unchanging rhythm.
I’m struck by how much solace this thought gives me: that feeling of comfort, relief, and tranquility in times of distress or adversity. Solace for Solstice. Of course, the various holidays crowding the close of the year reflect a universal celebration of light and hope. No matter the tradition, these moments remind us of the human need to gather, to connect, to renew, and to find joy in the promise of brighter days ahead.
And isn’t that what this season is really about? Amid the noise and bustle, there’s a chance to reflect on what brings us comfort and light—both literally and figuratively. This blog is an invitation to pause and embrace the gift of Solstice: to seek your own sources of solace, renewal, and quiet hope as Solstice gifts us the long darkness for this contemplation.
Hope and brightening with tranquility. Breathe that in for a moment. Savor it.
As we navigate the final days of the year, may Solstice remind us that darkness is not an ending but a beginning. It’s a moment to rest, to reflect, and to gather strength for the light that is sure to come.
Step away from the busyness of the holidays to find your own quiet corner, wherever you find solace. Light a candle, step outside under the stars, or simply sit with the stillness. Let the promise of returning light fill you with hope, and carry that brightness forward—into your days, your thoughts, and your connections with others.
This Solstice, may we each embrace the gift of renewal, trusting in the cycles of life to guide us through the longest nights and toward the brightest days.
Come join me in this reflection and celebration of light, connection, and hope at WonderCrone.com. Together, let’s savor the beauty of this season and the promise of all that’s to come.
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