Here are some suggestions about how to best utilize the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s can feel like an emotional and mental wasteland. It’s an “in-between” time, Twixmas (December 27-30, from the old English word for “between”). Four days of blankness, nothingness, even though it still is considered part of the holidays. Yet, there are (typically) no parties to attend, no family get-togethers, no presents to unwrap.
For some, this week can feel like a huge letdown now that all the holiday happenings and family functions have ceased. There’s a sense of aimlessness, lostness, lethargy, and sadness—almost like grief. As well, these same people may not be looking forward to another year, particularly to the uncertainty of it.
Yet, what if we looked to this week as a fresh opportunity to stoke the fires of our lives, to think and pray about what the year ahead could be for our emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual journeys, giving us something to look forward to rather than dread?
Here are some suggestions about how to best utilize the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
1. Set goals for the new year:
Spiritual Goals
The new year is a new opportunity to hit “refresh” and start anew on your spiritual journey. Ways to do that could include selecting a word or a verse from the Bible that could be your focus for the year. Words like holiness, joy, self-control, gentleness, humility, purity, or verses like Psalm 90:12; Hebrews 3:13; Ephesians 4:1-3 or 4:32, can set you up for growing in godliness, maturity, and Christlikeness.
Physical Goals
Setting new exercise and/or eating goals are two of the most common goals set (and broken) every year, but it does not mean that they’re not worthy pursuits. Our bodies are sacred, holy, the “house” of the Holy Spirit. What better way to show God you’re grateful for your “temple” than to take care of it properly? The exercise program does not have to be rigorous. Perhaps it’s as simple as doing 10 minutes of chair aerobics, taking a walk (leisurely or briskly) around your neighbor or at a park. For the more die-hard enthusiasts, it could be joining a gym or the YMCA, or a hiking or cycling club, taking a pilates or yoga class, a swimming or spin class, or any number of high-impact activities. The choices are endless.
As far as the diet goes, perhaps it’s as simple as cutting back on the amount of sugar or salt you consume. Instead of cookies or chips, eat carrot sticks or an apple. Start with small changes, then go from there. Remember, be realistic.
Intellectual Goals
Start 2024 by tuning out some of the social media mayhem and tuning into more spiritually stimulating pursuits, like podcasts. The list of good, godly people speaking truth and encouragement is long. Some favorites include Russell Moore, Phil Vischer, and Skye Jethani, FamilyLife Today, Alisa Childers, Annie F. Downs, Lina AbuJamra, and Timothy Mackie and Jonathan Collins. Check out others at Christianity.com.
During this week, research and compile a list of Christian biographies (past and/or present), or books that will inspire your spiritual walk, then set a goal to read one a month. For starters, check out onlinechristiancolleges.com and christianbook.com to begin your list of good and godly reads.
Furthermore, there is always good Christian fiction and movies and television shows to help while away the days and enjoy a bit of an escape. Goodreads has compiled a nice list of fiction here. As for movies and television, there’s The Chosen, I Can Only Imagine, The Mission, Miracles from Heaven, War Room, The Case for Christ, and many others.
Ministry Goals
A new year can offer you the chance to get involved in a new ministry, one you’ve never done before, one that may stretch and grow you personally, spiritually, and even professionally.
Take this “in-between” week to pray about where God would have you minister in the coming year. Perhaps He wants you to continue in your current ministry. For those not currently serving, however, there are a plethora of ministries to get involved in: the nursery or children’s program, leading a small group or teaching a Bible study, as a greeter or usher, etc.
Serving opportunities also abound within the community: at a food pantry, tutoring struggling students, visiting with the elderly at a nursing home, volunteering at a hospital, etc.
Pray about your commitment level, as well. You may be able to commit to serving only once a week, once a month, or even just once a year. No matter what time you’re able to give, it will be time well spent, and you will be both a blessing to others and blessed yourself.
Social Goals
Who doesn’t love a good get-together? After all, you’ve just come off a weekend (if not an entire month) of them.
Twixmas is a good time to look at the 2024 calendar and plan specific times to spend with your family, like a once-a-month Sunday Supper. Maybe you’d like to establish a regular Game Night with friends?
And don’t forget your significant other. Maybe you’ve lapsed in having special date nights. This year could be a fresh opportunity to re-establish those. The same goes for the kiddos. They also need some undivided time with you, as well. Set aside a day once a month to take your child(ren) out for a fun and meaningful activity.
Creative Goals
A new year opens the door for new adventures or pursuits. Did you once have a hobby or passion that you’ve put aside, for whatever reason? Maybe this is the year you take it up again.
Or maybe you’d like to try something completely new. Have you ever wanted to write a book? Join a local writer’s group. Have you ever wanted to try drawing or painting? Take a class for beginners.
Use this week to research where you can pursue and indulge in your creative passions, be it ceramics, scrapbooking, ironworking, quilting or knitting, cooking or baking, photography, karate or kickboxing, jewelry making, or glass blowing. You name it, and there’s likely a class or a workshop for it.
2. Reorganize and rearrange
With the holiday over, this week offers the perfect opportunity to reorganize and de-clutter your home. Have a closet that’s spilling over? Take a day (or two) to transform it from chaotic to controlled. Tired of the same furniture arrangement in your living room? Sometimes, a new arrangement does just the trick to give your home a fresh uplift.
A good de-clutter is a good way to see in the new year!
3. Relax and Recover
Of course, there is always the option to do nothing during Twixmas, when your energy level and motivation are low. Take some time this just to snuggle up on your couch and watch your favorite movies or to binge-watch that series you’ve been wanting to see. You could also read a best-selling book or do a puzzle, either by yourself or with the kiddos.
Life coach and author of “How to Do You,” Jacqueline Hirst, says, “Twixmas is the absolute perfect time to switch off. We always tell ourselves we will, but we hardly ever do. Using this time to step away from the daily hustle and bustle, chores and routines, and if you can, technology, is really healthy for you. Using this space and time to look after yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally is a wonderful gift to give yourself.”
Conclusion
Truly, Twixmas is what you make it for yourself, be it a time of goal setting, relaxing, or reorganizing. The point is to make the most of this time in a way that is meaningful and productive for you.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/lilartsy
