A Christmas Rest for a Weary Pastor

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day can provide a welcome rest and reset for a busy pastor and his family. Parties, decorating the home and church, and gift buying and wrapping make the weeks leading up to Christmas busy. By the time we get through Christmas morning, we are ready for a vacation from our holidays. One welcomed blessing is that there are always six days after Christmas and a seventh day if you count New Year’s Day. A little planning ahead of time can slow down that precious week, giving you and your family time to reflect, regroup, and ensure the demands of the New Year don’t invade a needed week of rest. 

When I know which restaurant I want to visit for dinner, I preview the menu online to ensure I make the best choice. I usually make better decisions if I look ahead – even if I wait until I arrive at the restaurant to make my final choice. A little preplanning takes the pressure off and ensures I choose a meal I will enjoy. The same is true for the week after Christmas. Here are a few suggestions to help you make the most of that time.

Plan to be out of the pulpit the Sunday following Christmas

The Sunday after Christmas provides an excellent opportunity for an associate  pastor who does not usually preach to address the congregation. With you preaching the weeks leading up to Christmas, they have plenty of time to prepare ahead so they can enjoy the same restful week after Christmas that you do. If you don’t have another pastor or intern to take the message, invite a guest preacher or consider swapping that Sunday with another local pastor. Retooling a message from earlier in the year lightens the prep time needed for both of you. 

Talk with your family ahead of time

Find out what would be restful for them, and if you have older family members, get a feel for their schedules. Nothing is more disruptive to the soul than a self-determined plan that gets blown up by the demands and expectations of everyone else around you. You get a family rest day fixed in your mind and then discover they independently decided to go to the store to exchange gifts and expect you to be their driver. You come up with the idea to go out to dinner, but your kids have already made plans to hang out with friends to see a holiday movie. Nothing disturbs my holiday peace and tempts me to anger like having my plans hijacked, even if I just came up with them that morning. It helps if I work with my family ahead of time to think through the days and help set everyone’s expectations. 

Set aside a day for prayer and reflection 

While pastors instinctively know their dependence upon God for their life and ministry, few set aside adequate time to pray. Jesus regularly set aside unhurried time to pray. There is nothing like walking into a new year knowing you’ve spent time calling out to God for grace and help for the tasks ahead. Take time to reflect and list all the blessings of the past year and the many ways God sustained you through times of trial. One fun way to review the year is to look through the photos you’ve taken on your phone in the last twelve months or scan through the previous 12 months of your calendar to see all the Lord allowed you to accomplish. Remind yourself of the challenges you faced. Once you’ve got a list of your accomplishments and trials, take that list into prayer and thank God for his sustaining grace. 

Consider praying through one or all the following passages:  

Psalm 23: Read and meditate on God as your shepherd who provides rest for your soul—even in the presence of your enemies. Notice how the Lord doesn’t take away your trials but provides care to endure. 

Romans 8: Take a fresh tour of the gospel and the help offered by the Spirit of Christ who dwells within you. Call out to Jesus to strengthen you for a new year of service to the Lord.

John 15:1-17: Reflecting on our need to stay connected to Christ will restore your joy (vs. 17).

Psalm 73: Walk with Asaph as he reflects on his failures and confesses his temptation to throw in the towel and quit. Then rise with renewed strength as you join him in remembering your heavenly calling and make a fresh commitment to offer your life in service to Christ.

Reaffirm your love and commitment to your wife

Plan for some time alone together. You don’t need to go out for an expensive dinner – a nice lunch one afternoon will do or stay home for a romantic dinner with a takeout meal. Take time to share with your wife your love and appreciation for all she does.

Look for opportunities to encourage each of your children 

Over the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, share with your kids what most blesses you about their lives – their accomplishments, growth in maturity, or other demonstration of grace you’ve observed. We are often too quick to critique, challenge, and correct but not so eager to compliment, encourage, and express appreciation. Far from adding the burden of another item on your to-do list, looking for an opportunity to encourage your kids will energize you and fill your heart with joy. 

Schedule a bit of entertainment or recreation 

Take some time where you don’t have any other obligations and plan one or two of the following:

• Buy or borrow a fiction book and do a summer beach read between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Enjoy watching a favorite old movie or two. 
• Go on a hike and enjoy the outdoors.
• Order a puzzle with a picture that has a particular interest or meaning for you and assemble it during Christmas – your family, who may think they dislike puzzles, will soon join you in the challenge to finish before the New Year arrives.
• Work with your wife to cook up your favorite dessert or comfort food. Make or purchase a pizza dough, load it with your favorite toppings, and enjoy a family pizza night.
• Play a board game.
• Go for a nighttime drive to see the best decorations lit up for the holidays.
• Take a long afternoon nap – yes, don’t forget to take a nap.

With a bit of thought and planning, you can ensure the week after Christmas helps to recharge your batteries and strengthen your resolve to enter a new year with a fresh wave of faith. 

©2023 Marty Machowski. Used with permission.