God, on this the longest night of the year..and the shortest day, and the dance between Jupiter and Saturn dance so close together, they appear to be as one. I’m thinking deep thoughts.
I am praying, as I nestle in the dark, to embrace the long night. To have the stamina and wait for morning.
I am thinking how sometimes my head is pounding with stress and that it is then I retreat into the darkness. Quieting and darkening my thoughts.
It is different to meditate in the dark.
It is different to nestle in the dim light of the moon.
God I thank you for the comfort of the dark, for it is comforting to let the bits of sadness and anxiety and anger come–and to let them dissipate safely into the dark.
I am thankful when the darkness creeps towards bedtime, when the kids are (finally) able to be put to bed. For the minutes or hours I have to stay up afterwards, and for the permission for myself to call it a day a go to bed!
I thank you for the moments without the glow of lights or electronics. The moments I wake up in the middle of the night and take a deep breath and am comforted that it is not yet time to get up, that the children are still asleep, that it is dark outside.
I am thankful for the night and the winter and the changes in sunlight and moonlight. I am thankful for their changing consistency (how many times does the Bible compare you, God to the sun and the moon).
Thank you for the solace of this solstice. And I pray that when the sun rises, I remain grateful.
Please, let the dark continue to be a blessing I pray, in you–the shade in the sun, the shelter in the heat and the night after an endless long day.
I give you thanks and praise.
Amen.
katyandtheword 
Amen!