Tilt: A Prayer for the Winter Solstice

This is the time of year when
The earth tilts away from the sun

And the days are muted and short. 

Still,

After twelve months of rising up and sinking down, 

Of illness and recovery,

Victory and disappointment,

Justice and injustice,

War and ceasefire,

Science and superstition,

A shorter day is sounding kinda good. 

But

Soon we will tilt in the other direction

Towards the green days of growth,

So perhaps this is a good moment

To choose what we will do next:
   Shall we be quiet and reflective
   Or make noise and good trouble?
   Shall we honor history and wisdom 

   Or create new solutions?
   Do we explore the mysteries of 

    existence

   Or insist on objective truth?

How about 

All of the above?

There is enough time   

In the longer days ahead. 

So

HaShleimut, Holy Completion,

May we all be blessed with light in the long night, 

Warmth in the cold, 
Glitter in the snow,

Peace in the discord,

And a few good parties. 

And then

Let’s chase that tilt towards the sun.

May we all have a joyful winter solstice!

Amen.