Today is December 21, the Winter Solstice. So what is the Winter Solstice. It is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and the official start of winter. Tonight will also be the night for the “great conjunction”. That will happen when Jupiter and Saturn, the two biggest planets of our solar system, will look like one bright star, the “Christmas Star”. It is a rare celestial event that hasn’t happened for 400 years. So many people will be out watching tonight with their binoculars, telescopes or naked eye. We are now only 4 days from Christmas and our daylight will again begin to lengthen. Oh how we all love the longer days to be outside when spring and summer arrive.

So here is this cute little poem. It was written definitely with the year 2020 in mind.

T”was 3 weeks before Christmas, And all through the town…..People wore Masks, That covered their frown.

The frown had begun, Way back in the Spring,….When a Global Pandemic, Changed everything.

They called it Corona, But unlike the beer…..It didn’t bring good times, It didn’t bring cheer.

Airplanes were grounded, Travel was banned…..Borders were closed, Across air, sea and land.

As the world entered lockdown, To flatten the curve…..The economy halted, And folks lost their nerve

From March to July, We rode the first wave…..People stayed home, They tried to behave.

When summer emerged, The lockdown was lifted…..But away from caution, Many folks drifted.

Now it’s December, And cases are spiking…..Wave two has arrived, Much to our disliking.

It’s true that this year, Has had sadness a plenty…..We’ll never forget, The year 2020

And just “round the corner” The Holiday Season…..But why be merry? Is their even one Reason?

To decorate the house, And put up the tree…..Who will see it, No one but me.

But outside my window The snow gently falls…..And I think to myself, Let’s deck the halls!

So I gather the ribbons, The garland and bows…..As I play those old Carols, My happiness grows.

Christmas is not cancelled, And neither is hope…..If we can lean on each other, I know we can cope.