The following ritual was written and delivered by Rev. John Odden during the 2020 Winter Solstice Celebration.
Let us join in honoring Earth, our home, as the renewal time of winter and longer nights takes a celestial shift – the winter solstice – towards an awakening.
Let us awaken with the breadth of each day, relentlessly increasing.
Let us awaken with the growing light, relentlessly earlier, brighter, and stronger.
Join now in holding the winter, the time of deep rest and renewal to heart. In this silence, focus – on rest and renewal. First, place sacred attention towards personal rest and renewal, and towards rest and renewal for family, community, and beloved neighbors.
<a minute of silence>
Now place sacred attention towards rest and renewal for animals, forests, oceans, continents, planets, and galaxies.
<a minute of silence>
And place sacred attention towards rest and renewal for sources of threat, concern, or distress, that they may be absorbed into the heart of Spirit and reborn as they renew.
<a minute of silence>
As we mark the winter solstice, the light returns and increases. Please join me in placing our hands over our hearts and activating our light. Know that we free this light to expand, grow and breathe into the body, family, community, and beloved neighbors, and beyond, into all the domains of Earth, all the creatures.
<a minute of silence>
Please take a candle or light and ignite it safely, where it may symbolize an awakening, a sharing of the light, and a personal vow of intention to the Order of the Sacred Earth. In the silence, watch the light spread and expand in the mind’s eye, bringing love and warmth to all.
Consider a watchword or phrase for the renewal, the light, the growth of Spirit and, if you wish, speak it into this group, together. There is no need to wait – simply join in as we give voice to Spirit:
<15 to 30 seconds for everyone to speak as they choose>
The Winter Solstice is sealed as we have brought the light of Spirit from our hearts to the world, lighting and awakening all of creation for peace, healing, safety, and vitality.
And so it is.
© 2020 Rev. John Odden
Order of the Sacred Earth OC 
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