![]() ![]() The Bible isn’t specific about when Jesus was born. The winter solstice may explain why Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus in December. The best place in the world to observe the winter solstice is at the prehistoric monument Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, believed to have been erected by ancient Celtic druids to line up the exact position of the sunset on the winter solstice. The winter solstice, the oldest-known winter celebration, is derived from the Latin word “solstitium,” which means “sun standing still.” In ancient times, it was both spiritually and scientifically essential and marked the changing of the seasons. During the summer solstice, which occurs in June, the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer. On the winter solstice, the sun seems to stand still directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is 23.5 degrees south of the equator. On Sunday, the days begin growing a wee bit longer every day until the summer solstice, after which the days start getting shorter again. The winter solstice occurs at the exact moment the North Pole tilts the farthest away from the sun. ![]() Shadows at noontime on the day of the winter solstice will be the longest of the year. Because the sun is at its lowest arc across the horizon, it casts long shadows. ![]() The solstice isn’t something you see but rather something that occurs - though you may want to mark the 2021 solstice by taking a picture of your shadow at noon. ![]()
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