Winter Solstice

The sun is making its low progress across the sky and the wild world has drawn its energy inward to prepare for a long winter sleep.  Nature reminds us that the shortest day is nearly upon us.  To celebrate, the children prepared a special gift to share, filled with everything you’ll need for some simple solstice merriment.  There is birdseed for the birds and candles to warm the longest night of the year.  Please join us in welcoming Winter with a blessing and a song.

A Song for Winter Birds

The North Wind doth blow

And we shall have snow

And what will the robin do then, poor thing

He’ll sit in the barn

And keep himself warm

And hide his head under his wing, poor thing

The North Wind doth blow

And we shall have snow

And what will the swallow do then, poor thing

Oh did you not know

He’s gone long ago

To a country far warmer than ours.

Wassail Recipe

½ gallon apple cider

46 oz can pineapple juice

46 oz cranberry juice blend

1 orange thinly sliced to look like suns

5 cinnamon sticks

1-2 star anise

A handful of whole, fresh cranberries

Pour apple cider, pineapple juice and cranberry juice into a stockpot.  Place orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks and anise into apple cider mixture.  Bring cider to a boil: reduce heat and simmer until flavors have blended, 15-20 minutes.  Remove orange slices, cranberries and spices before serving. 

Candle Verse

A candle’s but a simple thing,

It starts with just a bit of string,

But dipped or rolled with patient hand,

It gathers wax upon the strand.

Until complete and snowy white,

It gives at last a lovely light.

Life seems so like that bit of string,

Each deed we do a simple thing.

Yet day by day on life’s strand,

We work with patient heart and hand.

It gathers joy, makes dark days bright,

And gives at last a lovely light.