Echo Beach

        December 31st. New Years Eve. We've had Christmas. Our winter celebration is through. For the past few days I've been embarrassed to turn on the Christmas lights. I'm ready to take down the tree and put away the ornaments. Our winter celebration was a success and now it's time to make room, to let our Christmas Magic do the rest of it's job.
        A lot of the traditions of Christmas come, not from Christianity, but from winter celebrations designed to bring the sun back. Early Europeans believed in Witches and Ghosts. As winter approached, with it's long cold nights and short days, many people feared the sun would not return. Special rituals and celebrations were held to welcome the sun back. In Scandinavia during the winter months the sun would disappear for many days. After thirty-five days, scouts would be sent to the mountaintops to watch for the return of the sun. When the sun was confirmed to be on it's way back a great festival would be held called Yuletide and a special feast would be served around a burning Yule log. In some areas people would hang apples on trees and colourful ornaments that would look like blossoms. Perhaps they did this to remind themselves that summer would return. Christianity was somewhat frustrated over the refusal of the population to set aside the pagan celebrations to bring back the sun, so instead the powers that be successfully took over the holiday as their own.
        We are still within the holiday celebration, it's New Years Eve after all, and it appears we have once again been successful. It may only be the 31st of December. The holiday season is still upon us. Yet I want the Christmas decorations down now. I'm not tired of Christmas. I just feel it's done. All ready I've noticed the lengthening of days. It's still very dark out, yet the hint of warmth and wonder is nibbling away at the edges. Morning is lighter as I travel to work. Evening is lighter as I arrive home, though only in twilight. It's still cold out, though a 50-degree warm spell will give me spring fever in an instant.
        Since a couple of bad winter storms back in 1990 I haven't enjoyed fall and winter as much as I once did. Now however, winter is no longer as long as it used to be. The darkening time of November and December is filled with the holidays and celebration. Perhaps that's why they are there in such concentration. Then, with January comes the advancing Sun and the bursting of the magic of life. Even through a snowfall the crocuses will be bursting forth through the crust. Trees will be budding. Pussy Willows will put on their furry buds. Later, the fruit trees will blossom, the frogs will start to sing.
        Christmas has done its job. I am not sorry to see it go. It's fun and all, but now I get to put everything away and watch the magic of a New Year.

Happy New Year Everyone! =^_^=