Winter 2026 Editor’s Note

The Bookery founder invites us to embrace 2026 with a sense of adventure with our Winter 2026 theme, Explore.

During the week after Christmas each year, I usually start thinking about goals for the next year. Not really resolutions, per se, but a few thoughts about who I want to be, things I’d like to do and ideas for how to make those things a reality. 

Some of them are practical, like getting some financial things in order. Others are personal, such as reading through the Bible or setting an intentional writing schedule. But this year as I thought about things I’d like to be a little different in 2026, a theme began to emerge: try something new. 

Don’t put yourself in a box. 

Explore. 

That’s the intention we’re going into the new year with here at The Bookery with our Winter 2026 theme, Explore. We’re not talking about reinventing yourself or changing the things that make you you. But we are inviting you into a space where you can challenge yourself to try new things, to step outside your comfort zone and explore the world around you and within you. 

Maybe that looks like exploring Scripture in a different way or reading books outside your usual favorite genres (we all get in our reading ruts!). Perhaps it’s trying new recipes or making a point to unplug from all the world’s noise on a regular basis. Maybe, like me, it’s cutting back on the time you spend doing mindless things, like scrolling on my phone or having the TV on when you’re not really watching it. Our Winter 2026 is a call to take a look at the patterns of your life, and — where it’s needed — building new ones. 

As I was thinking about 2026, I found myself writing down a few things that surprised me that I wanted to do in the new year, many of them simple and commonplace. 

Have people over for dinner more often — something I often talk myself out of because my house is small, I don’t have a dining room and I worry things aren’t good or nice enough. 

Read through the Bible — so what if it takes you more than a year?! It’s been a while since I’ve tackled this goal, since I’ve spent the last few years reading particular books in depth, guided by the curriculum we use in my Life Group. But I need to experience the whole story, to see God’s hand at work from creation to the New Creation. I know myself and understand I’ll need more than a year to complete the goal, but I’m ready to start (as soon as the Bible study tool/journal I ordered to help me arrives). 

Be intentional — whether that’s about making space for writing and reading or taking the time to unplug and just be. I want to be intentional about spending time with the people I love, about serving, about writing and creating content for this website and podcast and trying new recipes and experiences. 

Whatever you’re looking for in 2026, it’s my hope that you embrace a spirit of exploration. Be open to things that look different than you thought they would. Instead of changing everything about your life, think about a couple of new things you’d like to try and challenge yourself. Whether you find you need to start or stop doing something, the journey of exploration and evaluation is worth it. 

Let’s embrace 2026 with a sense of adventure. It’s a whole new year, and we get to explore it together! 

Peace,