This day marks the earliest sunset on our calendars as we approach the solstice. So our days will not end any earlier than this.
In Scandinavian countries it's also celebrated as St. Lucia's day, when a young girl lit her way through the catacombs with a candlelit wreath on her head to bring food to persecuted Christians. It was also the day on which the solstice was marked in the old "Julian" calendar.
I cannot help but see similarities between this natural phenomenon and the story subsumed by Christian faith, as described here: "After converting to Christianity sometime around 1000, the Norse incorporated the legend of St. Lucia into their celebration. The modern festival of light combines elements of both pagan and Christian traditions." Britannica
In Scandinavian countries it's also celebrated as St. Lucia's day, when a young girl lit her way through the catacombs with a candlelit wreath on her head to bring food to persecuted Christians. It was also the day on which the solstice was marked in the old "Julian" calendar.
I cannot help but see similarities between this natural phenomenon and the story subsumed by Christian faith, as described here: "After converting to Christianity sometime around 1000, the Norse incorporated the legend of St. Lucia into their celebration. The modern festival of light combines elements of both pagan and Christian traditions." Britannica
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