There is something about the sunset and the effects of the fading light. The way in which my eyes adjust, by slowly resizing the pupil.  The way that I find landmarks by their contrast against the horizon. The way I inadvertently stumble into an object that a moment ago was discernible as ordinary, now in the dusk, takes the guise of the invisible or unfamiliar.
All of this on top of the fact that the constellations are easily visible by 5:30 p.m., and I am still orienting myself to this new anomaly.

Yet in the time. Those few fleeting minutes as the sun slips beyond. The shapes that manifest themselves are eerily extraordinary. The whole world turns into a silhouette world, a monochromatic puppet show, with dazzling backgrounds.  I am fond of this time of day.

Pond Ice

New Year (Celtic Daily Prayer) pg.238

 

This day is a new day

that has never been before.

This year is a new year,

the opening door.

Enter, Lord Christ-

we have joy in your coming.

You have given us life;

and we welcome Your coming.

I turn now to face You,

I lift up my eyes.

Be blessing my face, Lord;

be blessing my eyes.

May all my eyes look on

be blessed and be bright,

my neighbours, my loved ones

be blessed in your sight.

You have given us light

and we welcome Your coming.

Be with us, Lord,

we have joy, we have joy.

This year is a new year,

the opening door.

Be with us, Lord,

we have joy, we have joy.