Bless the Crown of the Year

Bless the crown of the year with Thy goodness, O Lord!
–Psalm 64:12

Welcome to new beginnings.

Today, the beginning of the Liturgical New Year, marks a new cycle of feasts and fasts. It marks the beginning of it all…and a newness I have never thought about before.

We all know what the New Year brings…beginnings, resolutions, newness.

I’ve never thought much about the Liturgical New Year until recently when speaking to a dear friend of mine who views this day as a very bright, beautiful spot in the year.

I’ve taken a break from blogging, from creating, purposely. I really didn’t think my break would be so long. Four months to be exact. It was nice break, but I’ve missed the Kindler of Joy purpose of my life…a lot! I find myself noticing things and wanting to share with you all. There is so much beauty out there, and so much in the hymns of the Church that really need to be shared. In a time and age where things are so incredibly challenging and divisive, we need, more than ever, beauty, love, kindness, and encouragement.

For several weeks I’ve known I need to begin again. I need to share the beauty of God’s creation and the beauty of the Orthodox church.

September 1^st is the perfect beginning again. As my friend so excitedly grasps this new beginning, I too, want to grasp the beauty of new beginnings. New beginnings of the Liturgical Year. New beginnings of fasting and feasting and commemorating. New beginnings of the struggles through life and it’s challenges. New beginnings on this path to salvation.

Bless the crown of the year with Thy goodness, O Lord!

In some of the hymns sung last night we hear of God’s great love for us all. This one caught my attention…

O timeless Word and Son without beginning,
united with the Holy Spirit,
Co-maker of all and Co-creator of all things visible and invisible:
bless the beginning of this year;
and bring peace to Thine Orthodox people,
through the prayers of the Theotokos and all the saints!

stichera hymn from vespers

“…bring peace”! Yes, please. May this be our prayer this bright New Year.

Over the last four months life has changed in many ways for us. New jobs, new career paths, new furry friends, new ideas…new beginnings. We are grateful for it all!

Thou art wonderful, O God, and wondrous are Thy works!
All Thy ways are unsearchable!
For Thou art the Wisdom and perfect Hypostasis and Power of God;
Thy working together is co-unoriginate and co-eternal;
therefore, by Thine almighty pow’r,
Thou didst come into the world, seeking to beautify Thy creature,
in an inexpressible manner—from a Mother who had not known man,
yet, not changing in Thy Godhead;
for Thou hast planned the seasons and the ages to accomplish our salvation, O Changeless One. Therefore we cry out to Thee:“O Good Lord, glory to Thee!”

stichera hymn from vespers

May we beautify our world to remember Him who seeks to beautify His creatures. May we use His “planned seasons” to “accomplish our salvation.” May we use this new beginning to glorify Him in all things!

It’s good to be back! Have a blessed day!