It’s the Winter Solstice Baby: Celebrating with Intention

In a season of reflection, we gather light on purpose. San Carlos, Costa Rica

What I love most about this season, especially December, isn’t my birthday. It’s the festive twinkling of lights, the hypnotic glow of candles, the decorated trees with their metallic balls and whimsical ornaments, the marching bands and parades, the decadence of traditional cuisine, the mingling scents of cinnamon, pine, nutmeg, and peppermint, and the harmonious caroling of gospel and secular hymns that have filled me with joy since childhood.

What I love most is that I get to share these feelings—not just with my family, but with the world. These joys have lifted me, even when my birthday felt lonely, painful, or heavy.

Yet, like many, I’ve also felt weighed down by the pressures of obligation and people-pleasing during this season. The joy of celebration was often overshadowed by the need to prove my worth through over giving, overspending, or measuring my value by the gifts I gave or received. For some, the holidays are heavy with grief, sadness, or longing, as memories surface of loved ones we miss or from whom we are estranged.

It is a call for less doing and more being—fully present with others, and within ourselves.

In recent years, our family has embraced a different approach. Rather than focusing on elaborate gifts, we create holiday traditions that foster connection and presence. These are the memories we hope will be etched in our son’s heart, allowing him to access the joy of childhood long after the decorations are packed away. It is equally important to intentionally cultivate joy in our marriage, not just wait for it to happen, throughout the year, but especially during this season.

Faith Lesson #1: Presence is a Gift

True celebration begins with presence. When we intentionally slow down, notice the sights, sounds, and smells of the season, and connect with those around us, we create space for joy, gratitude, and divine awareness. Presence is an act of faith—it acknowledges that life unfolds in small, sacred moments, not just grand gestures.

As we count down the final days of 2023, my prayer for us, #BlackandWanderlust, is that we yield to the Spirit of December. This season is a time of celebratory anticipation, recognized and embraced across cultures, races, socioeconomic statuses, and faiths.

Faith Lesson #2: Gratitude Amplifies Joy

Recognizing the blessings already in our lives, even amid stress or unmet expectations, shifts our focus from scarcity to abundance. Gratitude opens our hearts to the miracles of ordinary life and reminds us that joy is not just found in gifts or accomplishments, but in connection, love, and shared experience.

It is an opportunity for:

• Deeper conversations

• Fellowship and connection

• Restoration, healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation

  
  

It is a call for less doing and more being—less action and more presence, both with others and within ourselves. This year, as we lit our Kwanzaa candles and watched each flame steady itself against the dark, I was reminded that light is never accidental—it is chosen. May we discover new ways to celebrate, and deeper reasons to be grateful.

Transformational Practice: Create Intentional Traditions

1. Choose one meaningful tradition to practice with your family or community each year—something you can all participate in and remember.

2. Reflect on past holidays—what brought joy, what felt heavy—and adapt your approach to cultivate presence.

3. Schedule moments of pause in the midst of festivities—lighting a candle, sharing a prayer, journaling gratitude, or simply noticing the laughter around you.

So, Black and Wanderlust, how will you intentionally create presence, gratitude, or meaningful traditions this season? What one small act could shift your experience from obligation to joy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

#WinterSolstice #introspection #gratitude #gifts #seasonsgreetings #happyholidays #happynewyear #newbeginnings #loveadventuretravel #BlackandWanderlust

©2023 A Zulu Brown Ink

Black and Wanderlust