winter solstice

for me christmas and new year's eve began to feel very commercial, materialistic, and artificial some time back.  i love getting together with friends and family and celebrating the coming of a new year but for me the symbolic day that inspires this celebration is the winter solstice.  the solstice marks the first day of winter, the longest night of the year, and the coming of the sun in the lengthening days of a new year.  
love, happiness, health, and a happy new year!