Happy Winter Solstice: beautiful postcards, greetings in prose

At the end of December, the Earth reaches a special point in its orbit — the moment of the winter solstice. This event marks the beginning of astronomical winter and the shortest day of the year when the sun rises above the horizon to its minimum height. From the very next morning, the light day begins to slowly increase, symbolizing the birth of a new solar cycle. Beautiful postcards and greetings in honor of the astronomical event are in the material of Izvestia.

Date and exact time of the winter solstice in 2025

The astronomical winter begins with the winter solstice, and in 2025 the event falls on December 21. According to worldwide astronomical calculations, this moment will come at 18:03 Moscow time. After this point, the day gradually begins to increase, although at the household level, the increase in light is not immediately noticeable.

For residents of the Moscow region, this day will be the shortest of the year: the sun will rise quite late and set early, forming the minimum length of the day in December. Such astronomical milestones are recorded by specialized services for calculating sunrises and sunsets and are used to prepare calendars and astronomical reference books.

Winter Solstice Greetings in prose

Previously, purification and rebirth ceremonies were held on the day of the solstice. In Russia, this day coincided with the holiday of Korochun or Kolyada, a time when people lit bonfires, sang carols and went around the neighbors' houses wishing them a rich and bright year.

It was believed that the louder and more joyful the solstice, the happier the coming year would be. Candles were lit in the houses, simple dishes made from grain and honey were prepared, and the dwelling was decorated with branches of spruce and juniper, which were considered talismans against evil spirits.

Today, the winter solstice has lost its ritual significance. Modern traditions are more calm and contemplative. Many people use this day to take stock of the year, put aside worries and start preparing internally for a new stage.

Cleansing meditations, gratitude rituals, and simple solitude practices are popular — lighting a candle, writing down wishes, spending the evening in silence or with loved ones. This is the time for summing up and starting a new cycle, so congratulations on this day usually do not sound formal, but homely, with warmth and meaning.

Congratulating relatives, friends or colleagues, you can wish them light, warmth and inner balance. It is better to say what really resonates with the essence of the moment: peace, inspiration, strength for new beginnings.

Izvestia has prepared prose greetings for relatives and friends:

"May warmth and light enter your home on the shortest day of the year, and each new dawn will bring hope for the best" ;

"I wish that after the winter solstice, joy, strength and successful changes will begin to arrive in your life";

"May the returned light illuminate important decisions, give clarity of thought and peace of mind";

"On this day, I wish you warmth in the house, sincere closeness and faith that the best days are on the way";

"May the candle flame and the warmth of your hearts become your support on cold nights, and the sun will return with renewed vigor";

"I wish you to find time to stop, take stock of the year and make bright wishes for the future";

"May a short day give you long moments of comfort, and a long night be an opportunity to relax and gain strength";

"On this symbolic milestone, I wish you good health, harmony and inspiration for new beginnings";

"May the return of the light be the beginning of new good habits and joyful meetings with loved ones";

"I wish that every step you take after the solstice is confident, and the results are long—awaited and worthy."