The "Un-week"
those days that feel suspended in time between Christmas and New Years...
I recently read somewhere that a family calls the time between Christmas and New Year’s the “un-week.” I liked the sentiment—naming it in a way that acknowledges the allowance of a week with no expectations, no appointments, no pressure. Pajamas and puzzles and books and games and walks—all day, if you please. Many seem to take a collective exhale from the frenzy of the season leading up to Christmas, and there’s this unspoken permission to hunker down, hobbit-like, as the year melts into its finish line. Slow, yet gone before you know it—a sunset into the ocean.
Sometimes, the “un-week” gets filled, as it’s also a time of trying to see family and gather with loved ones who are on break or in town. Ours has been a mix.
Regardless of how your week shakes out, I pray you take time as 2025 comes to a close. Take time to notice the “sunset” of this past year. To reflect on its pains and joys. The way it has sung and the way it has stung. All of these are important to do with the Lord. A great tool for this is to do a yearly examen; here is one that is helpful.
Our family also asks the Lord what He wants to say to us about our new year. We each ask for a word to help give us focus. We set before Him all the things we do or are involved in, and ask if we are to continue in these things. We take time to really listen.
It’s not always easy to make the time for these things, but it’s always worth it. My prayer is that you will be able to do so this week! And if it helps, we have a few days (Monday and Tuesday) when the prayer room will be open. Give yourself (which will also be a gift to those you influence, whether family or community) the gift of undistracted hours in this space to seek the Lord.
We will also be gathering corporately to spend five hours in intercession and listening this Tuesday night (8 PM - 1 AM). Register to join us here.
On Tuesday, we will also share a post here of some testimonies that have come from the prayer room since opening just four months ago. God has done great things! And the great things are often the little things—I love how He works. If you are looking for ministries to sow into with your year-end giving, the prayer room could greatly use any gift. Thank you to all those who have given and have kept it stocked and running!
We bless you and pray that the rest of your 2025 is rich; that your eyes may be open to the wonder of it all—the “sings” and the “stings”—and that you may be fully present for its glorious setting.
