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Years ago, the church my husband and I attended shared the idea of having a Word of the Year instead of a New Year’s resolution. This idea was popularized by the book, “One Word that Will Change Your Life“. We would spend years incorporating this concept into the Bible studies that we led and into our own personal and spiritual lives.
After the pandemic, which was also the year we welcomed our son, it became a bit harder to decide what to focus on. I learned of a tradition of writing down a list of things you want in to the new year and burning one each day between Christmas through Epiphany (when Jesus was first presented to the gentiles – the Magi – celebrated on Jan. 6). This is to symbolize giving this care and concern over to God, accepting His “yes” or “no”. It’s not to say you shouldn’t work on it, just that God doesn’t want that to be your focus. The word remaining on January 6 is your word for the year. Mine this year was “blog”. So, as an example, when choosing between working out or writing content – I have been called to start typing.
I had some good and important things on that list! My health (I am considered morbidly obese although I thankfully do not have health related issues), my marriage, minimalizing, my finances… You get the idea. This was the one thing I have been feeling a nudge to do, but also feel in no way capable of doing. But here I am, starting the steps of living out my word of the year – Blog.
What I share on these digital pages will very much be Spirit led. I intend to use it to share the things in my life that I get questions on how to do – a quick meal, a dinosaur themed birthday party, anything to help others find things to make their own busy lives have a spark of something that feels curated to their needs.
So to start us off, let’s dig into the full process of choosing (or rather God choosing) your word or request for the year. This doesn’t have to be done specifically during this time frame. You can do it much earlier in December so you go into the year knowing your focus or you can start as soon as you find this post. It is whatever works for you. When you feel like you are ready to have a few different options written down you are ready to begin.
You will need to begin by collecting your materials. You can be as fancy or as practical as you wish with these supplies. You will need a piece of paper and something to write with. You will need scissors or you can tear the piece of paper. You will need two different containers, one to hold the papers so you don’t misplace them and one to hold the papers after you burn them. You will want to use a fireproof container for the second container. A ceramic bowl with water in it works just fine. You then need a candle that can be relit throughout the process and a lighter or matches to light that candle.
Decide on the timing or cadence that works for you. This will drive how many sentences you will need. Alternatively, if you feel like you know your list you can use the number of sentences you create to drive the timing. Prayerfully consider and write a sentence down for the areas of focus or requests spaced out on your piece of paper. You will want one more sentence than days you will do the ritual. Select an area that you can keep your items together and set up for a few days. Gather your supplies. Cut each sentence into separate strips and fold them. Place these folded strips into your holding container and shake them up.
To begin, light your candle and pray over your space and your process. If you feel stuck, something similar to this is just fine:
Lord, thank you for your guidance throughout my life’s journey. I want to spend the next year dedicated to You, working on where you want my focus to be. I give you this request. Burn away that which is not necessary so that I may better focus on You. May the piece of paper left at the end of this process be the focus that You have decided is needed in my life.
Choose a piece of paper out of the container and place it up to the candle to burn without looking at what is written. Once the flame has taken hold, carefully place it in the fireproof container.
On your final day, you will have one paper left after burning and that is your focus for the year.
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