On Friday, December 22, 2023 First Parish in Lexington will present a Winter Solstice Experience at 7:30 pm.  With music, ritual, candles, dancing and darkness, we will experience the quiet of the longest night, and welcome the sun as we wait for her return. Led by Rev. Anne Mason, with Minister of Music Rip Jackson, this event will be a mystical experience exploring earth-centered imagery, with an invitation to cherish the darkness. You are invited to set aside your frenetic everyday concerns and take this hour for your own inward journey.  The Solstice is honored by indigenous religions around the world and we will have music, dance and poetry which honor many traditions.  A group of intergenerational dancers will weave movement and ritual to celebrate the peace of the darkest night of the year and the triumphant return of the sun’s nourishing light. The  musicians will include vocal soloists Chelsea Cannon, Liz Savir and Natalie Brierre, soprano sax player Katie Runde Sanchez, along with guitar, electric bass, piano, electronic synthesizer, drums, rain stick, gong, Tibetan singing bowl and other atmospheric musical instruments. They will sing music from diverse genres including music by Paul Winter, Loreena McKennitt, Enya and original music by Rip Jackson. A free will offering will be taken and public parking is in the rear of the church.  For more information call 781-862-8200 or visit www.fplex.org.