The Sacred Portal

Advent coincides with Winter Solstice and myths from many times and cultures, which provide an entry into sacred time. Sacred time is a portal. It can take us into the profound, spiritual significance of the time of year, the time in our world, in our lives, and in our consciousness.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from her e-book Path of Wonder: A Meditators Guide to Advent

At this time of the year, several of the world's religions celebrate the coming of the light. In many Christian denominations, Advent (coming or arrival) is celebrated by rituals that prepare us for the coming of the light. In the philosophical teachings of Yoga, the core of the teaching is the realization that we are the light, we are emanations of That which dispels the darkness. Winter Solstice is the time where we experience the most darkness, the shortest day, followed immediately by the increasing light as the days get longer. Many celebrate Winter Solstice as the coming of the light. We have been living through a difficult time in our history, but as we become more spiritually conscious, more spiritually awake, we remember that the light always comes. The dawn always follows the night. Spring always follows winter. At this time of year, may we remember that this time is our sacred portal to reflect on our own light and how we bring that into the world. We are the Light.