The Shortest Day

 

 

  

  The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper

      So the shortest day came, and the year died,
      And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
      Came people singing, dancing,
      To drive the dark away.
      They lighted candles in the winter trees;
      They hung their homes with evergreen;
      They burned beseeching fires all night long
      To keep the year alive,
      And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
      They shouted, reveling.
      Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
      Echoing behind us - Listen!!
      All the long echoes sing the same delight,
      This shortest day,
      As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
      They carol, fest, give thanks,
      And dearly love their friends,
      And hope for peace.
      And so do we, here, now,
      This year and every year.
      Welcome Yule!!

Here is a link to last year's Winter  Solstice Greetings