Today we have one more minute of daylight than yesterday, and tomorrow one more minute than today, and so on right up until the summer solstice in June. I watched the sun set on December 22nd, the shortest day of the year, and rose on the 23rd just in time to see the sun rise again, bringing fresh hope even as the winter settles in. Hopkins poem takes on new meaning:

And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs —
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

We’re still in the Christmas season now, which goes until Jan 5th. A good excuse not to throw out my gorgeous Scottish pine, which is looking as fresh as ever! But after the 5th I will give in to Daniela’s pointed stares and take the tree up to Crane’s beach in Ipswich, to be used to prevent the dunes from eroding. If you’re ever in Ipswich, please do visit Crane’s beach, which is one of the most gorgeous beaches in New England, and includes hikes through the dunes and nature trails. And say hello to my tree if you see it.Advent is over — the season that means “coming” — and Epiphany will begin on the sixth. The term epiphany means “to show” or “to make known” or even “to reveal.” It is meant to remember the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing “reveal” Jesus to the world as Lord and King. It is also a time to think about our own role in revealing Christ to the world.