For those of you who prefer your Christmas to be less, um, Christian, the United Church of Christ has the perfect solution: A Winter Solstice Celebration!
An interfaith web event of music, dance, storytelling and prayers for peace: a festive holiday event celebrating the universal theme of light overcoming darkness and the hopefulness embodied in our diverse faith traditions.
Webstreaming begins Friday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. and runs through Wednesday, Jan. 2
Return of the Light: A Winter Solstice Celebration is a family-oriented evening of story, symbolism, ritual, music and dance featuring:
The Oîkos Ensemble—world music jazz
About God’s Glory—women’s gospel choir
Melissa Lopez Dancers
The Inside/Out StorytellersIn ancient times, when people were more dependent on the sun for warmth, light and a bountiful harvest, the yearly retreat of the sun meant dwindling stores of food and perpetual cold. Once the winter solstice passed, there were many more days of darkness and cold ahead, but also the promise of spring and rebirth in the lengthening days. Winter solstice (literally the “standing-still sun”) observances predate the Common Era by thousands of years and were common to Celtic, Persian, African, Chinese, South American, Scandinavian, and other indigenous cultures. Today, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza draw many of their traditions and rituals from these ancient celebrations.
Sponsored by the UCC’s Proclamation, Identity and Communication Ministry through its Ministry of Imagination, Creativity and the Arts.
Next up: the joint UCC-Wiccan production of Ostara: An Interfaith Celebration of the Vernal Equinox, a joyful Web event of music, dance, storytelling and prayers celebrating the death and rebirth of various gods and goddesses.
Posted by David Fischler 
