Commercial Break: The Reason for the Season

 

Winter Solstice

"Sun stand still"

(...and the phenomenon at the core of many spiritual and religious stories and beliefs as observed over the millennia.  It is not inappropriate to celebrate the Birth of the Son on Christmas any more than His Resurrection in the Spring when "He" crosses the Celestial Equator and the Elliptic. It's how we tell our stories of rebirth, redemption and resurrection)

Get ready to celebrate the shortest day of the year when the Sun goes neither any further south nor moves ahead North for three days until December 25th when it moves 1 degree North in the journey of taking away the darkness of winter at the Spring Equinox or "Easter". 

Winter is upon us. 

As the earth spins on its axis, the different hemispheres get closer, or further from the sun. When the Northern Hemisphere is at its furthest point, the winter solstice arrives, making for an extraordinarily short number of daylight hours. 

Less daylight does not always mean colder temperatures though, in fact, for many places in the US there is a weeks-long gap between the winter solstice and the coldest day of the year. 

Fact check:Ample evidence the Earth is round and rotating, contrary to claims

What day is the winter solstice 2022? 

This year winter solstice will take place Wednesday, Dec. 21. 

What is the winter solstice 2022 sunset time?

In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun will set on winter solstice around 4:47 pm ET. Depending on where you live the sunset time can vary slightly. 

All across the globe, the solstice is experienced at the same moment, as the sun's rays will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, a latitudinal line that lies south of the equator. 

What is the winter solstice?

The winter solstice marks the official beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. In accordance with the astrological calendar, it will fall this year on Dec. 21. It is also the shortest day of the year, with the sun often setting before 5 pm. 

After the winter solstice the days begin to grow longer, offering more and more hours of sunlight until the calendar reached the summer solstice - the longest day of the year. 

Because the days begin to lengthen, in some cultures the winter solstice signifies a holiday of renewal and fresh beginnings. 

Is winter solstice always on the same day? 

No.

In the Northern Hemisphere the winter solstice occurs each year on one of two days: December 21 or 22. It signifies the point at which the Northern hemisphere is tilted farthest from the sun, making it colder with less light. 

Winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere coincides down to the instant with Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, as we tilt away from the sun, they tilt towards it. 

As previously noted, The Vatican had this all figured out long ago in the design of St Peter's Square