Before you pulled us from the dust,
Before there was dust,
You spoke into the primordial stew,
And drew the waters back
To craft dry land.

Father in Heaven,
Sleeping under the stars, 
beneath this wide and holy canopy,
may we be filled with wonder.

Dear Holy Flame,
If ‘Hope is the thing with feathers’, (thank you, Emily Dickinson) 
Then Joy is the thing that flickers!

Thanks be to God,
the Father Almighty, 
the Creator of heaven and earth, 
who delighted in making
the families of plants
who call our homes 
their home.

Glory be to God for Dirt—

For backyard soil
as dark and dense
as the midnight sky.
And for all the creatures
who make this ground
their earthy home—
the wiggly ones
and leggy ones
and the tiny ones
our eyes can’t see.

Father in Heaven,
Thank You for places near and far
For us to explore and experience;
For creating a world overflowing with
History and humanity, cuisine and color
Unique to the landscapes and locations
We visit on vacation.

Thank You for the rhythm
Of rest, recreation, and re-entry.

“In Your tender compassion, the morning sun has risen upon us…”— Benedictus

Our Father in Heaven,

May sunrise light
The brilliant beams of Creation’s color:
Pale peach, dusty orange, candy pink, and ruby red
Announce with holy hues
The arrival of this new day.

God of delight and wonder,

We lift our gratitude for the joy of winter play
for the rush of sleds speeding down slopes,
for snowballs launched in giddy delight,
for skates that glide and twirl on frozen ponds.

Father and Creator of the Cosmos,
Who was before all that is,
And holds all that is to come.

Father in Heaven
Giver of all good and perfect gifts,
May the gift of Jesus
Open our homes and hearts to love
As we enter the Advent season.

God,
Who created the twinkling stars
And the warmth of the sun,
The mountains majestic
And the turquoise ocean,

Holy Spirit,
May I live in wonder
Awe beyond words,
For Your Holy Presence and Power.

The light shines in the darkness
And the darkness has not overcome it.
We are easily distracted by the darkness of unease and anxiety.
Light of Christ, shine in our lives,
and in Your world with Your renewing hope.

As you find yourself slowing down, Whether by age or aches,By fewer life demands or simply by choice, May you notice that your pace Might now reflect the holy cadence of God. 

Our gardens may not be a significant source of our produce,
they may be only a potted plant or bed of flowers,
but would every garden in our neighborhood be a living reminder of grace and growth.

Be our Counselor as we listen.
Be our Wisdom as we speak.
Be our Breath as we trust it is your sacred presence
In every breath we breathe.

Keep us attentive
To the holy all around us.
May we live today
With resurrection wonder.

May our sidewalks be
Places where we return
To moving at Godspeed,
Walking at a pace

The light of Christ enlightens all.
You have come for every nation and every neighborhood,
You deliver us from darkness
And invite us to live in Your light.