God of the Winter Solstice

a psalm-like prayer for the shortest & darkest day of the year

An Impression of Winter by Claude Monet

God of the Winter Solstice 

On this shortest day I thank you 
for the knowledge of preserved light. 
Because you do not allow your children
to be swallowed whole by the night. 

	O God of the winter solstice 

I know the sun will be poured
back, slowly, starting tomorrow morning.
And I am ok with that—
just as long as you return with it. 

	O God of the winter solstice

This is the day of your visitation, for you
are master over darkness. You set its limit, 
knowing just when the time is right 
to interrupt death with life. 

	O God of the winter solstice

Is this how you felt in Mary’s womb? 
Cloaked in black black black. Knowing soon 
you’d burst forth. What about in the tomb? Waiting 
waiting waiting and then, three days later... 

	O God of the winter solstice 

You are not able—not capable—of leaving 
us here, dimly lit. So you come, 
again. You say, “Let there be light."
And the earth and my soul make room for you. 

	O God of the winter solstice

   - r.e.g. 

If you enjoyed this poem, be sure to read my Summer Solstice and Autumnal Equinox prayers.

God of the Summer Solstice

A Prayer for the Autumnal Equinox

Here are a few other winter solstice pieces I’ve been enjoying today:

• Solstice Poem by Angela Alaimo O’Donnell via Rabbit Room Poetry

• Keeping Vigil by

  civil winters
  . This prose piece was published in
  The Clayjar Team
  latest issue—A Thrill of Hope—out today!

• Longest Night of the Year… by

  Joseph Massey

• Advent: Solstice by

  Mark Rico

• Winter’s Quiet Hush by

  Kassi Wilson

Special Birthday & Christmas Offer

My 26th birthday was this week and Christmas is only a few days away, so I wanted to offer a special discount. A thank you from me to you for your continued support of my writing.

For one week only, paid subscriptions to In Light of Eternity will be 25% off—$3.75/month or $45/year. Click the link below to access the discounted rate. The offer ends next Friday, December 27th, 2024.

I’m trying to make it to 7 paid subscribers by the end of the year (I’m at currently at 6) so it would mean the world if you considered supporting my work in this way! When you become a paid subscriber, here’s how I say a special thanks to you:

• You become a member of my poetry penpal club, which means you’ll receive a typewritten print of one of my poems in the mail every month! These are perfect for framing or gifting.

• You’re automatically entered into a yearly custom poem giveaway.

In Light of Eternity,

Rosa.