Yalda!

Sol sistere, the sun stands still for this the longest darkest night of the year. Persians celebrate it as Yalda. They eat pomegranates and watermelon, among other things, and recite poetry, maybe even something from the 11th century astronomer poet Omar Khayyam, who was all for celebrating.
            "Ah, my Beloved fill the Cup that clears, 
             To-day of past regret and future fears!" 
Yalda, Hanukkah, Christmas.... all anticipating, all saluting the gradual return of the light.
            "Awake!" says Omar, earlier in The Rubaiyat,
            "For Morning in the Bowl of Night
             Has flung the Stone that puts the Stars to Flight"