The Winter Solstice always seems to me like the real beginning of a new year. The sunrise, hidden amidst the trees on the ridge to the right, has gone as far south as it can. Tomorrow will begin the long trek north. Spring Equinox will find sunrise due east, in the center of my horizon, and it will continue moving to the left till it's behind another clump of trees.
But for now, I'm celebrating the Return of the Light. Amidst all the chaos and clamor of our world, the Winter Solstice seems like an eternal verity.