'Tis the season for holidays. It started first thing in June, and continues right through the summer; one by one-and sometimes more than one-ChristianWeek employees are taking some time off for a little rest and relaxation.

As you read this, editorial director Doug Koop will be newly returned from his holiday to Ontario where, among other things, he took part in a reunion of classmates from his elementary school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I will have left the office for my time away, during which my husband and I celebrate our first wedding anniversary.

Other ChristianWeek staff have traveled, or are traveling, to Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario. Our regional correspondents have divvyed up the summer as each takes a coveted two-week break from news-gathering.

Holidays are a chance to leave the never-ending deadlines behind for awhile, but they should also be a time to refocus our goals and priorities. The very word "holiday" derives from "holy day"-a day when usual activities are set aside in favour of rest, yes, but also reflection and meditation. It should be a time to think about why we do what we do and how we can do it better, both in our professional and personal lives.

But be assured, we will not stay away forever. Each of the members of ChristianWeek will be back, armed with fresh new ideas and an energized spirit. We look forward to putting all that relaxation to good use, as we plunge back into the process of creating a product that gives you the news you need to lead.

In the meantime, happy "holy days!" May you also enjoy a time of rest and reflection.