2018 Pantone Color of the Year

Pantone has selected Ultra Violet as its color of the year - a blue-based purple.  The color supposedly communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now.

I always associate purple with royalty, so I did a little research and found the color purple has been associated with royalty, power, and wealth for centuries.  In fact, Queen Elizabeth I forbad anyone except close members of the royal family to wear it.  Purple's elite status stems from the rarity and cost of the dye originally used to produce it, making it affordable only to royalty and those of wealth.  

It's associated with royalty in the Bible too.  Roman soldiers clothed Jesus in purple before beating and crucifying him.  Although they were clearly mocking him as king of the Jews, he was, in fact, royalty.

And speaking of royalty... many of us are taken up with Season Two of The Crown on Netflix and Season Two of Victoria on PBS right now.

Leave it to Republic of Tea [who gave us so many lovely Downton Abbey blends] to come up with two new teas associated with The Crown: The Queen's Evening Tea [an herbal blend of Chamomile blossoms and sweet honey flavor] and Prime Minister's Tea [Earl Grey black tea].  I think I may have to give them a try since January is designated as Hot Tea Month, and I'm always eager to try new teas.  The teas can be purchased individually for $13 [36 tea bags] or a gift set for $27.95 [plus postage if ordering directly from Republic of Tea].

I receive Dr. David Jeremiah's devotions [Turning Point] in my in-box every morning.  He says the new year is a 'privilege'.   He pointed out that our God is a 'start-over' God.  Every 24 hours we get to start over with a new day.  Every 7 days we get to start over with a new week.  Every 4 weeks we get to start over with a month.  And every 365 days we get to start over with a new year.  If we mess up, or fall short of the goal, God grants grace and forgiveness, and plenty of opportunities to start over.  

Dr. Jeremiah challenged me to do what I ought to do first thing every day [which is to begin the day in God's Word], rather than what I feel like doing.  Satan [our adversary] puts every obstacle possible in the way to prevent that, so it requires discipline.

I do, indeed, like the color Pantone has chosen for 2018.  It inspires me to be faithful to the King of kings, and Lord of my life.  He [through His Word] will definitely take me on discoveries beyond where I am now, and provide intrigue for what lies ahead.