As the light of dawn awakens earth's creatures and stirs into song the birds of the morning so may I be brought to life this day. Rising to see the light ... to hear the wind ... to smell the fragrance of what grows from the ground ... to taste its fruit and touch its textures: so may my inner senses be awakened to you, O God.

A Celtic benediction by J. Philip Newell
Photo copyright 2007 by Danny N. Schweers.