For weeks and weeks, we prepare for the big day. With anticipation, excitement, and a bit of stress—we make plans at home and at church, and hustle until it all comes together. And than in a matter of 24 crazy hours, it’s all past.

There are probably still remnants of Christmas reminders—candle wax in the carpet, shreds of wrapping paper in the living room, and classrooms still decorated with trees and gifts. In the midst of the exhaustion, mess, and hint of relief—what happens in those moments that follow Christmas?

What do we do in the week between the end of one year and the beginning of another?

Interestingly, it’s actually not that different from what happened on the first Christmas.

“And the shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all they had heard and seen,
as it had been told them.” – Luke 2:20

Where’d the shepherds return when it was all over? They don’t go trade in their staff for a monk’s robe. They don’t change their clothes or what they eat. When it’s all over they return to the fields.

There’s something holy that happens in the days that follow Christmas. There’s something sacred happening when the shepherds return to the fields. And when you and I return to the office in a post-Christmas haze to get some things in line for the coming year, God’s up to something.

This, of course, doesn’t mean the post-Christmas days are easy, but it does mean they matter. And since they matter, here are four ideas that can help you as you return to the fields office.

Celebrate your wins.

There is no such thing as celebrating your wins too much. The people you lead want to feel like they’re winning and need to know what winning looks like. Find a time to email your team a story of how you won this past month.

Get rid of the piles.

We all have those piles—the piles that are things you’re supposed to get to but have no desire to ever get to. It’s got to get done eventually. Take advantage and get some of the work done that you’ve been dreading when there’s no urgency of a looming Sunday ahead.

Dream a little.

When things get busy we not only put off the piles of things we don’t want to do, but we push aside the important things that aren’t as urgent. When urgency subsides between Christmas and the New Year, take a moment to dream. What would you like to see in your ministry? Would you change anything? Are there any initiatives you want to try? What culture do you want to create?

Take a break.

Christmas just happened and your kids are on break. Go home early and spend some time with your family. There is always work to do in the office no matter how much you get done, but there isn’t always an opportunity to change up the plan last minute to have some fun with your family.

As you return to work, don’t miss your opportunity to do something this week that you couldn’t do in the weeks leading up to Christmas and you won’t be able to do once the New Year hits.