Winter solstice marked by Longest Night

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This article was published 19/12/2017 (2694 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A special upcoming church service that coincides with winter solstice seeks to comfort those whose personal circumstances cause them pain or loss during the Christmas season.

Grace Mennonite Church will host the Longest Night Service at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 21. A group from Grace Mennonite Church have been working for the past several weeks to coordinate a unique Christmas service of concern and remembrance.

Services such as this are traditionally held on the night of the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. The long nights before Christmas symbolize the real darkness that exists in our lives and in the world. At the same time, the winter solstice represents the beginning of hope and healing, when light gradually increases from that day onward.

“Through our own personal loss, our eyes and hearts have been opened to people who suffer during times of celebration, and we understand the need for a message of hope during personal seasons of darkness. We hope to offer a quiet, meditative worship service that makes time for remembering, sharing our hurt with God, and preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ,” said organizer David Klassen.

Grace Mennonite Church is located at 430 Third Street in Steinbach.