We light this chalice remembering the freedoms long established in our nation:
freedom of speech
freedom of the press
freedom from the establishment of religion.

We light this chalice honoring those who exemplify protecting those freedoms:
librarians
booksellers
teachers
authors
journalists.

We light this chalice, so that by its light we may read all the books:
books with archaic language
books with offensive material
books which affirm the diversity of the human race
books which normalize our varied sexualities
books which share multidimensional perspectives of history.

May we bask in the glow of its light this morning as we illuminate, brighten, and radiate
because of the books we have read and the books we have yet to read.