Today is the 21st December or Midwinter's Day in the northern hemisphere.
It marks the time of year when the hours of daylight begin to get longer.
This was and still is an important date to mark as it tells us that the we have come through the worse of the winter and that spring is on it's way.
This time of year is of course associated with Christmas but much of the symbolism that we think of as traditionally Christmas decoration is if fact pre christian like the wreath above which is pagan and was a symbol of the changing seasons and fertility.
Winter flowering baskets can lift the spirits and counteract the drab looking garden.
The road to a brighter future may seem long but marking this date tells us that it is coming.
In our modern world where everything is permanently 'on' we can sometimes forget that nature moves on at it's own pace irrespective of our preoccupations.
Sometimes it's a good idea to just stop and look at the beauty around you in the world and be thankful that you are here to experience it.
I hope you have a peaceful Midwinter/Christmas however you celebrate it.
Michael 
