Thank You, Winter Solstice!

I always look forward to Winter Solstice. I like the turn of the wheel when the days get lighter, and lighter. Although this year, I haven’t minded the darkening days quite as much. Maybe the sunlight on the brilliantly white snow during the day helps.

Its truly a Winter Wonderland here right now. I hope you are enjoying your darkest night! This is a good time for hot tea, a good movie, book, or group of friends, and a cuddly chair and blanket by a warm fire.

Rest now! For tomorrow, (for those of us in the Northern hemisphere that is) its going to be a longer day.

The Christians and The Pagans by Dar Williams.

I posted this song last year, but the super cute video is new.

Once again, this song makes me cry. Nice. Way to make cry in a public library, song.

Lyrics and Chords

ARTIST: Dar Williams
TITLE: The Christians and the Pagans

Amber called her uncle, said “We’re up here for the holiday
Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay”
And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree
He watched his son hang candy canes all made with red dye number three
He told his niece, “It’s Christmas eve, I know our life is not your style”
She said, “Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and it’s been awhile”

/ G C Am D / / Em C Am D / / G C Am D / /

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able
And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said
Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses

/ G C Em D / / Em C Am D / Em C Am D G – /

The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch
Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, “Is it true that you’re a witch?”
His mom jumped up and said, “The pies are burning,” and she hit the kitchen
And it was Jane who spoke, she said, “It’s true, your cousin’s not a Christian”
“But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share
And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere”

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able
And where does magic come from, I think magic’s in the learning
Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning

When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, “Really, no, don’t bother”
Amber’s uncle saw how Amber looked like Tim and like her father
He thought about his brother, how they hadn’t spoken in a year
He thought he’d call him up and say, “It’s Christmas and your daughter’s here”
He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, saw his own son tug his sleeve saying
“Can I be a Pagan?” Dad said, “We’ll discuss it when they leave”

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able
Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old, and
Making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold

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  1. Yak’s avatar

    me too – it gets me at the line – only pumpkin pies are burning.

    Reply

  2. Strange Attractor’s avatar

    Love this song. I was introduced to it last year and it brought me to tears. It’s like an alternate universe version of my family that I can only wish for.

    Reply

    Braidwood’s avatar

    Braidwood Reply:

    Ahh yes, I was just thinking of my wished for family. A friend posted on Facebook that her large family got together with a friend’s family and they were all belting out Christmas carols with abandon and I, in my quiet house am sighing a little sigh.

    (Maybe someday when I have my own family we’ll sing with wild abandon! :)

    Reply