Tonight we will gather with friends on the longest night of the year and the preform the Winter Solstice Celebration. We invite you to also gather with your friends and family for this special ceremony.
Celebration of Winter Solstice
Designate one person to represent Saint Lucy, the Goddess of Light. This person should be dressed in white and carries a white candle. We also invite all the guests to wear white and to bring a white candle.
After sunset Saint Lucy arrives and unrolls the following scroll. (She reads the Prayer of Blessing one line at a time and asks everyone to repeat the Prayer)
The Prayer of Blessings
“I am grateful for that which I have.
I am not sorrowful for that which I do not.
I have more than others, less than some,
but regardless, I am blessed with what is mine.”
Saint Lucy asks everyone to spend a minute of silence in the darkness reflecting and giving thanks. Afterwards she continues to read.
The Sunset Blessing
“The longest night has come once more,
the sun has set, and darkness fallen.
The trees are bare, the earth asleep,
and the skies are cold and black.
Yet tonight we rejoice, in this longest night,
embracing the darkness that enfolds us.
We welcome the night and all that it holds,
as the light of the stars shines down.”
Saint Lucy then lights her candle and proceeds from person to person to light their white candle from her flame. As they light their candle she says: “Lead us back into the light”.
Once all the candles are lit Saint Lucy asks everyone to raise a glass to welcome the winter season.
As we enter into this holiday season, may we all be reminded to count our blessings each and every day. From our family to yours we deeply extend our best wishes during this holiday season.
Merry Christmas