As the days close in on Christmas, it is this week in particular where I wish for a few extra hours in the day to get everything done.

But in fact, the deck is totally stacked against my wish because this week, of all the weeks in the year, has the very least hours of daylight. This makes it particularly hard for the early-to-bed, early-to-rise person that I am. How could it be that the most demanding week of the year, could have the fewest hours of daylight? This just isn’t fair!

But then again, if it wasn’t for the rush of Christmas, this dark, gloomy period would be a real downer. I guess I should thank God for choosing to be born in the darkest period of the year – it sure gives us plenty to do.

Years ago, darkness was a real nightmare. In this day and age, the darkest time of the year doesn’t have the impact that it did many thousands of years ago. We simply turn on our lights sooner, and leave them on longer. Before the age of science and technology, the people of this time would fear the sun dropping lower and lower on the horizon. Short days with less sunlight meant that their crops wouldn’t grow. How would they eat and survive? For them, many thought the world was literally coming to an end.

Just when the sun had hit rock bottom – surprise, surprise – it would stand still for a moment, and then start to rise. After a few days of noted elevation (Dec. 25) they knew that they were digging out of the darkness and this was cause for a great celebration: the re-birth of the sun – the celebration of light. Today, we know this as the winter solstice. Solstice: a word that literally means “sun standing still” refers to a very brief period in which the sun stands still. And it also marks the change of season from fall to winter. The sun hits the all-time low, and then each day after we begin to add more daylight to each day until June 21 (summer solstice).

Long before Jesus was born, the celebration of light had been established and has been traced back to the Mesopotamians. They celebrated for 12 days; giving gifts, singing door-to-door, burning fires and having carnival celebrations – all these festivities welcomed in the New Year. Around the world, throughout history, the solstice has been cause for great celebration representing light, hope and peace.

Working religious celebrations into popular pagan festivals isn’t unusual and Christmas is no exception. In fact, nobody actually knows the true birth date of Jesus. However, acknowledgement of his birth in the form of celebration goes back to 98AD. It wasn’t until the early fourth century that the Dec. 25 date was set. The date made sense as there were great similarities in the celebration. We celebrate the “birth of the son” with the “re-birth of the sun” and both bring light, hope and peace to our world. So whether you celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday or not, the winter solstice alone gives deep rooted and good reason to celebrate.

I’ve given up hoping for more hours in a day, and I’ll settle for being behind from time to time in all that I have to do. Such was the case following the last snowstorm.

I hadn’t put my snow tires on, so I paid a visit to the friendly folks at Exxon Village Center Auto Care to see if they could fit me in. Kevin Malcolm not only assisted me in getting my car serviced, but inspired me with how he sheds more light on Christmas around the world.

Kevin is the local organizer of a candle lighting ceremony called the Circle of Friends that the People’s United Methodist Church in South Portland participates in. It is a global effort that encourages churches of all denominations to light a candle on Christmas Eve to foster peace, and unity throughout the world. Says Malcolm, “There are far too many in this world whose greatest gift at Christmas is simply another day of life.”

We may take the flick of the light switch and the warmth of a peaceful home for granted these days. But still many suffer from conflict, disease and hunger. A simple candle lit on Christmas Eve will lighten our world and bring us together in unity and peace. May your hearts be filled with peace, hope and love this season. Merry Christmas!