By Dave Barnes
Shafer Gallery Director

Have you noticed that despite our attempts to legislate, control and save time the days are still getting shorter and the nights longer? The process continues until around Dec. 22 when we experience the cold dark night of Midwinter.

The sun rises and sets at different places on the horizon as it progresses through the year. At Midwinter, also known as the Winter Solstice, it sets at its farthest southern point in the west. The Latin word solstice means “sun stands still” and recognizes that for about six days in June, and then again in December, the sun appears to rise and set at the same spot.

The sun seems to stand still at the time of the longest nights and the shortest days. It is no wonder that our ancestors and people all over the world held grand parties, built rude bonfires and lit acres of candles to chase away the depressing doldrums of the dark nights that seem to freeze solid the very movement of the sun itself.

After all, the solstice also begins the birth of new light and longer days. In western European culture we call the period of the solstice Yuletide. Decorating Christmas trees, wreathing doors, swagging garlands, covering tables with candles and the like are ways of making the dark days of the Yuletide endurable, meaningful – or you might even say sacred.

These traditional things we do are on the surface quite meaningless, yet when we take an ordinary fir tree and surround it with art (sparkling ornaments, tinsel), cover it in beauty (colored lights and candles), we transform that ordinary tree into something very special, a Christmas tree. For a few days it becomes the center of the house. Gifts are laid beneath it; family and friends seem drawn to sit around it and day dream in its hypnotic glow. The power of this tradition is so great that it doesn't seem to matter if the trees are natural or made of plastic and foil.

It is appropriate that the Christian tradition celebrate the arrival of its wonderful child during the darkest days of the year. The lighting of Christmas trees and the green decking of our halls is a proclamation of hope in the rising of tomorrow's sun, despite the cold harshness of today. Our burning bushes (Christmas trees seem to burn, but are not consumed) are an invocation of the light of the new day into our present darkness. They celebrate a moment of transition when all becomes possible in the new light of faith, hope and the love of our fellow man.

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Dave Barnes
Shafer Gallery Director

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We have created a modest sacred grove of Christmas trees decorated by area school children and civic organizations in the Shafer Gallery. From Nov. 29 through Dec. 5, we invite you to drop by and enjoy their light. In addition to these special trees, you will enjoy the Schmidt family memorial village and Darnell Holopirek's wonderful Santa Claus collection.

Please come to our Holiday Open House Sunday, Dec. 5. The event will feature the lighted trees and offer music, holiday treats and a visit from the old white-bearded guy (no, not me; I will be there anyway).

Happy Holidays!