The moment of Winter Solstice occurs December 21, 2005, at 10:35 am Pacific Standard Time. At that moment, the northern tip of the Earth’s axis of rotation will be at its maximum tilt away from the Sun. Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, traditionally marking the beginning of winter. The length of daylight has been shrinking continuously since the end of June; it hits a minimum tomorrow, and thereafter will start increasing in length. For the next six months, the length of daylight will increase; in this way, the mystics say that the first day of winter is the first day of summer.
Have a peaceful, joyful solstice: the days of darkness are on their way out.
(Much thanks to Mike McGarry for the useful and timely information.)