Do you know that the Pre-Festal Hymns begin on the twentieth of December? 
The Church has also wisely set the last day in which the night grows longer. On the twenty-first of the month the day begins to grow longer. The nights and noetic darknesses leave while light and days increase. Let us ask God to take away from us the darkness of our hearts now that the days are growing and they become completely illumined, now that the time of the year is changing. The Church announces this to us with the rising of the true light, the Sun of our souls.
-Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra
Gladsome Lights 
Yes, it’s a wonderful thought. (at least, for those of us in the northern hemisphere)
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Let us ask God to take away the darkness of our hearts now that the days are growing ”
I find this a good sentence to reflect on at winter solstice. I hope there’s no darkness in my heart but there definitely are people who are harder to love and accept than others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a lovely way to look at it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person