In this GoodKind Podcast episode, Clayton, Amy, and Chris settle into the space between Christmas and New Year’s and talk about what this in-between season really feels like for families. From Advent rhythms and family traditions to debating the best day of the week for Christmas to land, the conversation unfolds into a thoughtful look at rest, celebration, and the slower pace that often arrives after the big day.
The team reflects on Advent practices in their own homes, including using the Family Guide, graduating kids into new rhythms, and how traditions evolve as children grow. From there, they zoom out to the calendar itself — unpacking how the day Christmas falls on shapes travel, work expectations, school breaks, and the overall emotional tone of the holiday season.
They introduce the idea of “Christmas Tide” (or what they jokingly call “overtime”) — the days between Christmas and New Year — as a gift of unstructured time. This conversation explores why that stretch can be especially meaningful for reflection, rest, and resetting as a family, without rushing straight into resolutions or productivity.
The episode also touches on how January functions differently than we often expect. Rather than a month for immediate habit changes, the team talks about January as a season of reflection, with February becoming a more natural place to begin new rhythms. Along the way, they share honest stories about family schedules, staying home instead of traveling, post-Christmas transitions, and the quiet beauty of not always knowing what day of the week it is.
If you’ve ever felt torn between holding onto Christmas and feeling ready to move forward — or wondered how to create space for reflection without pressure — this episode offers a gentle, grounded way to think about the season between celebration and the year ahead.
Takeaways
The days between Christmas and New Year can be a meaningful season of rest, reflection, and transition for families.
Advent and Christmas traditions naturally evolve as kids grow, and flexibility helps those rhythms stay life-giving.
The day of the week Christmas falls on shapes work, school, and family expectations more than we often realize.
“Christmas Tide” or "Overtime", as the hosts call it, offers space to slow down without rushing into goals or resolutions.
January works best as a reflective month, with new habits forming more naturally later on.
Letting Christmas end — without dragging it out or cutting it short — can help families transition well.
Unstructured time and slower rhythms play an important role in shaping healthy family habits.
Chapters
00:00 Season Five teaser and what’s ahead
02:15 Advent rhythms and family traditions
04:45 Graduating kids into new holiday practices
07:30 What’s the best day of the week for Christmas?
10:40 Work, school breaks, and holiday expectations
13:20 Introducing “Christmas Tide” and overtime
16:10 Staying home, reflecting, and post-Christmas rhythms
18:55 January as reflection, not resolution
22:30 Letting the season end well
24:45 Closing thoughts and encouragement
Keywords
Christmas traditions, Advent practices, Christian family rhythms, Christmas Tide, parenting during holidays, family reflection, January reflection, Christian parenting podcast, holiday habits, seasonal rhythms