A prayer for St. Stephen's Day, 2018, on which there was northern sun, but no snow

O Light unchanging, light of light, light unapproachable, how can it be, that Thou, with whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning, hast made the shifting, changing shadows for the delight of man? Thou hast created the slanting light of the late afternoon winter sun, that traces a pencil ray upon each bole. Thou hast made the variegations of shadows, rank on rank from bright to dark, marching back into the trees. Thou hast made the gleams and grayness as wisps of cloud ride across the sun, hiding and revealing his face. Thou hast created the thick, brown oak leaves underfoot on the path, on which the splinters of the light fall. Is it for Thy pleasure, or for ours, or for both, that all these things are and were created, shifting creatures that we can comprehend, since we cannot behold Thy unchanging majesty and live? Yet without Thee, we cannot live at all. For these and for all thy many blessings, make us to be continually thankful. Amen.