The Blessing of Words
Christmas 2025 had finally arrived, and the kids were excited.
It was time to open PRESENTS!
“Can we start right now?”
Yes, of course we can.
Let’s go into the living room and sit in our usual Christmas circle, kids in the middle on the floor.
All twelve of us were there, and everyone was ready.
In that moment between calm and joyful chaos, Joel suddenly said, “Now Grandma will say a few words!”
I looked up at him, surprised. He grinned at me.
I couldn’t believe it, because all day, I had been thinking about how I would bless each person if I had the chance.
But I had talked myself out of it.
The kids will be eager to open their gifts, I said.
They won’t want to listen.
They won’t really want to hear what their Grandma has to say.
But Joel’s invitation to speak was JUST too perfect, so I smiled, and everyone stopped talking and turned to look at me questioningly, waiting to hear what I had to say!
So I proceeded!
Here is what I told them, along with what I wish I had added. You know. There’s always more to say.
I told them I was happy they had each picked a word for this year. They know I love this Word of the Year thing, and they jumped in to pick a word. I prayed often for them, using their special word, and even illustrated a page for each of them in my journal. It’s been fun.
So I spoke a blessing over my family, using their Words of the Year.
To Brian: NEAR - 2025 was a rough year for you. Through doctor’s appointments, tests, surgeries, radiation, and side effects, you were firm in your belief that God was near so you could stand strong, full of a living hope. Yes. I saw it. You often quoted Julian of Norwich, saying, ALL SHALL BE WELL. The nearness of God made it feel so true. I’m so proud of you and thankful to have walked through it with you.
To Jonathan: LOVED - I asked God every day to show you how much He loves you and help you remember how much we love you too. Our time with you is always cherished, and watching basketball with you is more than exciting! Being our treasured firstborn has its benefits. We’ve been praying for you the longest. :)
To Joel: LINGER - I often envisioned you lingering to hear from God while reading your Bible. Sometimes I imagined you sitting under your favorite oak tree with your Bible open, your journal ready for insight. I recalled the time you stopped at a street sign and found a message from God! Oh my! I hope you will continue to linger with God’s words, remembering how much you are loved and how incredibly equipped you are to do the work God has given you.
To Rachel: FAVOR - As I prayed for you, I enjoyed envisioning God’s favor wrapped around you like a shield, as David described in Psalm 5:12. You are protected. Seen. Loved. Your work is life-changing, and I’m sure Satan would love to thwart all the good, deep work you do with students and with your children. I pray that the shield of his favor will fill you with joy and further empowerment to do the work he has called you to do and to enjoy the security of being gently held, known, equipped, and loved.
To Hannah: PEACE - 2024 presented you with some unique challenges, so this year, 2025, you longed for peace. So, I prayed peace over you: your body, your family, your work, your friendships, your faith. I prayed that God would keep watch over you and enable you to rest when needed and to trust him for it all. And, yes, there is the peace of knowing how loved you are by God, and by me.
To Greg: THANKS -You didn’t pick a word this year, so when I prayed for you, I simply thanked God that you are part of our family and asked him to guide and guard your heart. You have helped us old Boomers so many times. We readily give thanks for your willingness to assist us when we couldn’t figure it out on our own.
To our grandchildren:
Lucy: SMILE - You have a beautiful smile. I prayed that you would come to understand the power of a great smile and to use it often to show the light you hold within. You are dear to us - our first grandchild, already 13 years old.
Charles: ADVENTURE - This year, your adventures include breaking your arm and going to Costa Rica. I think adventure is your middle name! Continue to look for ways to love your life and to be a safe person who helps others love theirs. I love your passionate personality and pray it will lead you to many God-honoring experiences.
Annie: KINDNESS - You are always the first to help. Do you know how kind it is for you to be willing to mow the lawn or take the dog for a walk? I prayed that you would have eyes to see ways to bless others by being kind to them and to find a special kindness for yourself as well. You are a precious pearl, and we cherish you.
Elsie: BRAVE - When you jumped off the high dive last summer, you told your mom that, of course, you could jump off that high dive because your word was BRAVE! I love this! Yes, you are a brave girl. I pray that this word will continue to lead you into abundant adventures. We’ll be cheering you on whenever we can, our dear, youngest grandchild.
Oliver: AWAKENED - In the fall of 2024, you said to me, “Grandma, I’ve picked my word for next year!” (I was surprised that you were even aware that I picked words!) So I replied, “Wonderful!!! What did you pick?” You immediately answered, “AWAKENED.” Surprised by such a “mature” word, I asked you what it meant to you. And I wrote down your answer because it was so awesome. “I’m loved. I’m happy. I’m focused. I’m awake. I have energy to run around. I’m not sick, and the day is going well.” Dear boy, you are a boy after my own heart. I have prayed this for you with much gladness.
And, by the way, reader, Oliver has already picked his 2026 word, EMPATHY. You can be sure I’ll be bringing that word to the Lord, asking him to fill our Oliver with a deep and caring kindness for others.
So, after all that, I announced, “Let the merriment begin!”
The stockings were opened, and gifts were torn into. We happily enjoyed our time together.
So, my much-appreciated reader, I sing to you: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
And because you totally expect me to ask, “Have you found your 2026 word?”
Last year, I collected 67 words from friends and often prayed a brief prayer over each person and their word.
I have collected 7 words so far, and we haven’t quite left 2025. :) Two more friends texted theirs to me this morning!
I declare myself to be The Word of the Year Gatherer!
Want to be on that list? Let me know!
