Maria and I have found our December holiday: The Winter Solstice. At 4:21, sunset on the darkest day of the year, we dragged two chairs out to the pasture and lit a big pile of wood we’ve been saving for months.

The fire caught easily and burned brightly and beautifully.

Maria brought out a glass of wine, and I had a glass of Saratoga Apple Cider, which I have with dinner now most nights and we had the most beautiful time sitting out by the warm fire on this dark and chilly night.

We were warm and comfortable.

We talked, sat quietly, and soaked up the beauty of the fire and the hills around us.

Fate hung around hoping for some work, I brought Zinnia out to experience her first bonfire (see photo above) and we both were excited that we found a holiday that was so personal and meaningful to us during this holiday season, a couple of days before Christmas.

It was a beautiful, loving and profoundly spiritual experience to sit out there by this roaring fire, mostly in silence but always in love.

This is a timeless and iconic ritual, especially for farmers that is ancient, dogma-free, simple and natural. This holiday meant the world to farmers because it signaled the path back towards planting and crops, and the longer days they needed to survive.

Next year we plan on inviting friends over to the Solstice Bonfire that has become a tradition for us in Spring and Winter.

Christmas is important to me, I’m conducting a Christmas service at the Mansion during the afternoon of Christmas day, just reading poetry and some prayers.

I’ve been drawn to the early Christian prophets, priests, and writers all my life, including Thomas Merton, St. Augustine, and Jesus Christ. Their vision of giving to the needy and the vulnerable has always seemed the most powerful and commanding idea in organized religion for me.

But I am not a Christian. I was born a Jew.

I don’t practice the Jewish faith either, something I should mention since a number of people have asked me what I am this week and are wishing me a Happy Hanukkah and sending me Hanukkah greetings.

I would have misspelled the holiday right here if I had I not looked it up.

I am in no way offended by any holiday wishes, I appreciate them all, but I should be honest, I  have never celebrated Hanukkah,  don’t know too much about it. I have never felt the Jewish Faith was the right one for me.

There are few Jews living where I live and I think people really aren’t sure what to say.

I converted to Quakerism when I was 14 and while I haven’t been to Meeting in awhile, Quakerism is important to me.  I’ve been to Temple a few times in my life, but never felt at ease with the ritualism.

I’m something of a mish-mash. The government has just declared Judaism a nationality, but that puzzles me, since my nationality is very much American in my mind.

I have no allegiance to, contact with, or interest in any other country.

I am not going to the Mansion as a minister but as a volunteer offering some service to those who have no families to go to or see on Christmas day. I have some lovely poems to read, Maria is joining me. So is Zinnia.

I suppose that is ministerial in a way, but so far, God is not involved.

I’m bringing a few cigarettes and muffins.

This morning, at the Farmer’s Market, I wished a good friend a Happy Christmas and he enthusiastically wished me a Happy Hanukkah. I didn’t want to embarrass him, so I just said thank you.

Grievance and sensitivity are epidemics in our world, I am not easily offended.

My own rule is to wish people a Happy Holiday, I can’t seem to go wrong there.

On Christmas eve, I’ve spiriting Maria off to the beautiful Vermont Inn where we went for our honeymoon. We will rest, sleep, read and eat.

We’re staying only for the night, and will be back on the farm Christmas morning. We have a wonderful sitter staying on the farm.

The dogs are in love with her, I imagine she spoils them wild. I’ll be here through Tuesday, but I wish you a Happy Winter Solstice, as well as a wonderful holiday whichever one you are celebrating if you are celebrating one at all.

For us, the Solstice is a big day, the last of the darkest days, a new beginning. Tomorrow, sunset will be at 4:22, a full minute longer than today. A new beginning.