I shared this photo previously on SightPsalms, but it is the first time I have shared it on my blog. So often we see sand dollars on the Florida coast that are white, and they become mementos of a trip to the beach. But this one is on the Atlantic coast, and is alive, or was when I took the photo. There is so much life on this planet that is amazing and that we overlook, or step on.

Another photo taken at the wrong time of day. Not in the "magic" light of early morning or late afternoon.

But the image is magical to me.

Today is the second Sunday of Advent.  Last Sunday as we attended worship in McKinney, Texas, with Elke and Robert, their pastor asked for volunteers for lighting the advent wreath. The church with four traditional and two contemporary services each Sunday means 24 families or individuals have an opportunity to participate through the season, with even more on Christmas Eve. Although it's a large membership church, I know from my own experience that it's still a challenge to recruit enough people to serve.  Thankfully, most people consider it a privilege to light the wreath's candles, and read the scripture lesson, and lead the congregation in prayer.

I always thought it important to include the wreath lighting in the advent worship planning as the ritual provides a moment for quiet personal and corporate remembering.  We pause amidst our activity to reflect on the mystery of why God would even want to be involved in human events. Our global family is battered by poverty, injustice, war, hunger, disease, and harm of every kind (much of which we are the cause). Still, we believe that the hope proclaimed for centuries will become real. We certainly need the hope. I do.

The water in mountain lakes is cold. All year around.

The water in this Wyoming lake is clear, refreshing, and cold.

I admit I'm partial to warmer water, and a warmer climate. So the best part of this photo is that I'm not alone. Having fun with Judy, Keith, and Mary Ann.

For five years I served as the superintendent of the Spoon River District which spanned six counties along the Mississippi River in the northern portion of Illinois. I drove over 30,000 miles per year as I traveled throughout the communities. I took my camera with me every day. One of my favorite roads was the highway that extended south of Nauvoo, Illinois. This photo is from one autumn evening with water fowl resting on the water. I enjoyed this side benefit of my job, but it is also a reminder that I had a lot of night meetings and it was still 90 miles before I was home.

We made a special trip to see Upper Yellowstone Falls at 9 a.m. because you could see a rainbow in the falls on days with bright sunshine. I recall that it would also be visible on certain nights with a full moon when the angle of the light was correct. In retrospect, I wonder. You can create a rainbow with the water hose in your yard. It was still impressive. And our National Parks are all worth a visit.

A moment in time. Morning light shining on an ancient wooden wall.

Light has lit this wall for how many mornings, for how many weeks and months, for how many years, for how many decades?

But it was the first time that I saw the light in this way.

I can see my breath. Mornings like this prove we are alive when the air is cold and our breath is warm.