Grateful for Winter Solstice

I am grateful on this day, 

Tuesday, 21st December 2010, 

for

Winter Solstice

Today is the shortest day of the year,
 a very special day for us in the northern hemisphere,
 as we are at the furthermost point of the earth's journey around the sun.
This is particularly poignant as we are experiencing  severe freezing temperatures here in Britain.

No wonder the ancients had reverence for this day onward, 
their gloominess having descended like the sun itself,
 falling lower and lower on the horizon.
Then being  replaced by elation as the sun began to climb again and recover.
No wonder they marked these days
 by joyful celebrations in anticipation of increasing light and warmth!