I spent some time digging into my #oneword for 2025 (alabaster). I wanted to share some of my findings before January is officially over. Alabaster is such a unique word for me, as I usually have an action word that I’m focused on each year. It feels like a deep well, and I am excited to see what’s in store in the months ahead.

Merriam-Webster defines alabaster as “(1) a compact fine-textured usually white and translucent gypsum often carved into vases and ornaments; (2) a hard calcite or aragonite that is translucent and sometimes banded.”

Vocabulary.com shares that “the root of alabaster is a Greek word meaning ‘perfume vase,’ alabastros… Alabaster is usually white, and because it is translucent, seems lit from within. For this reason, it often describes a pale complexion that seems to glow from the inside.”

Smith’s Bible Dictionary on Blue Letter Bible  states: “The ancients considered alabaster to be the best material in which to preserve their ointments.”

I discovered another insightful excerpt on Kachina House’s website for Native American Alabaster: “Sculptors find much value in its transparency, its ease for carvings and its spiritual attributes. Alabaster symbolizes purity; it is believed to represent the color of the soul. The whiter the stone, the better. It encourages feelings of peace and can be used to combat stress, heal arguments or calm an angry household.”

Finally, this quote from Voltra Lighting in their “Alabaster – The Stone of Arts” article: “The variations in translucency are induced by the temperature at which the alabaster is heated. Immersed in water at high temperature, the stone can become as opaque as marble… Its unique texture and the warm, even light it radiates make alabaster a material of choice for lighting. In addition to its exceptional visual qualities, alabaster is also known for its high density. Its fragile and delicate aesthetic combined with its weight creates a surprising contrast.”

There’s so much to unpack here, and all the more when you bring in the biblical aspect.

Mary broke her alabaster vessel/box to anoint Jesus before His death and resurrection (Matthew 26:7, Mark 14:3, Luke 7:37, John 12:1-8). It’s one of the few stories that’s featured in all four gospels. The jar had been sealed in order to protect the contents; the only way to open the seal was to break the container (meaning it couldn’t be used again).

Here are a few of my favorite highlights (so far) about alabaster:

• It’s used in carving (which reminds me of how God is molding, pruning, and shaping us).
• It’s lit from within; it glows from the inside out, and is a choice material for lighting (we were created to shine HIS light in this dark world). 
• It was a prized vessel for preserving ointments (it was created for a purpose, and carried things of great value).
• It’s know for its transparency, purity, and peace-promoting qualities (#goals).

I’m glad I have 11 more months to soak all of this up, learn even more, and grow accordingly. 

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, “Alabaster Heart” is a song that frequently comes to mind. Here are a few of my favorite lyrics:

“So here it is, my alabaster heart

I’m keeping nothing back from who You are…

Let it rise like incense

My whole life a fragrance 

Every ounce here broken at Your feet

Every breath an offering

My heart cries, these lungs sing

Over You, my worthy King of Kings…

All my love

You can have it all”

“New Wine” is another one that’s been on my heart lately: 

“Make me Your vessel 

Make me an offering

Make me whatever You want me to be”

This is my heart’s cry: to be a vessel for good, created in the image of God, formed by His hands, set apart for His purposes. I don’t want to hide what God has placed in me to shine. I don’t want to be defeated by the enemy when I’m already victorious because of Jesus. 

“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 2:20-21 ESV

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.’ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.” – Jeremiah 18:1-4 ESV

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” – Isaiah 60:1-3 ESV

I am a radiant vessel (in the making).

What a beautiful place to be.