I know life is busy—so busy, in fact, that it’s easy to feel like we’re barely keeping our heads above water. The holiday season often adds to that pressure with shopping lists, parties, family gatherings, and end-of-year commitments.
It’s a lot. Sometimes, my wife Char and I feel like the true spirit of Christmas these days is balancing joy and panic while holding a half-eaten candy cane and checking our Amazon app to see if the last gifts will be delivered in time. In fact, I half expect that if I ask Alexa to play “Silent Night,” she’ll reply, “Only if you slow down first.” And yet, as Christians, we are invited into something deeper during this season—a sacred rhythm of reflection and restoration for our souls.
The Restoration of Our Souls
God knows our tendency to live life at a frantic pace. That’s why He designed rhythms for our well-being, such as Sabbath rest and seasons of reflection. As King David reminds us “He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Ps 23:3). And Christmas presents a unique opportunity to allow God to restore our souls.
Indeed, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is an especially meaningful time to pause, breathe, and reflect. It’s a time to step away from the constant demands of life and look back at God’s faithfulness over the past year. In doing so, we create space for rejuvenation—a space where God can refresh our hearts and reorient our priorities for the year ahead.
A Season for Reflection
Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged to meditate on God’s Word and reflect on His works. The Psalmist writes, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands” (143:5). Reflection is a spiritual discipline that strengthens our faith by reminding us of God’s goodness, sovereignty, and presence in our lives.
Christmas and the days following are ideal for this kind of reflection. So, consider asking yourself:
How have I experienced God’s goodness this past year?
What spiritual victories has He brought me through?
In what areas has He called me to grow, and how can I respond?
This reflective exercise is not only an act of gratitude but also a way to deepen your trust in God. I promise: if you take a few moments to reflect and evaluate, God will reward you in a rich way spiritually.
Rejuvenating Your Spiritual Fitness
As we reflect on the year past, it’s also an excellent time to evaluate our spiritual health and fitness. The Bible often uses the metaphor of training and discipline to describe spiritual growth (1 Tim 4:7-8). Just as physical fitness requires intentional effort, so does spiritual fitness.
Take some time this week to jot down a few ways you can become more spiritually healthy and fit in the year ahead. This might include:
Committing to daily Bible reading and meditation.
Cultivating a deeper prayer life, seeking both God’s guidance and His presence.
Engaging in fellowship with other believers for encouragement and accountability.
Sharing the gospel in a heartfelt way with somebody you know.
As you plan for the coming year, remember that spiritual fitness is not about striving in your own strength. Instead, it’s about cooperating with the Holy Spirit, who works within you to transform you into the likeness of Christ (Phil 1:6).
Christmas as a Catalyst
Christmas is more than a celebration of the Incarnation—it’s an invitation to let the miracle of Jesus’ birth shape every aspect of our lives. The Apostle John reminds us, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14). This profound truth assures us that God is not distant but intimately involved in our lives.
The days between Christmas and New Year’s provide a rare opportunity to embrace this truth more fully. Use this time to reflect on how Jesus’ presence has shaped your year and how it can guide you in the year to come.
A Challenge to Reflect and Rejuvenate
To summarize, I encourage you to do three things as we close out the year:
Thank God for His goodness. Consider the ways He has blessed, challenged, and grown you over the past year. Gratitude is a powerful act of worship that aligns our hearts with His.
Evaluate your spiritual health. Reflect honestly on your walk with Christ. Are there areas where you’ve grown complacent? Areas where you’ve seen growth? Write down what comes to mind.
Make a plan for spiritual growth. As you consider the year ahead, think about practical steps you can take to grow closer to God. Write these down and commit to them prayerfully.
Let this Christmas season be more than a whirlwind of activities. Take advantage of the time between December 25 and January 1 to slow down, reflect, and rejuvenate your soul. As you do, you’ll find yourself better equipped to face the new year with hope, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose.
This year, let’s not merely celebrate Christmas. Let’s allow it to transform us. Let’s enter the new year spiritually refreshed and ready to pursue God’s best for our lives.