Rejoice!

This will be familiar to many from the Thursday daily office but I wonder how many stop to really meditate?

'As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you, now and forever.'

As I was praying this I looked up from my place of prayer and saw the gifts already being given, and the presence of God was so visible in the breaking day.

A glorious tree, naked, standing proud with buds of new life ready to burst open, daffodils and jonquils at its base, bright gifts of joy interspersed with violets, their perfume only imaginable from within the room.

Wet grass from a heavy unexpected frost and the deep, sweet melody of the warbling magpies, all before I stepped outside.

'As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence O Lord, set our hearts on fire for you.'

As Steiner Rice says: 'Who but God can make the day!'

Grace and peace, and morning blessings from God our Father.

Anne